CHAUVIN, LA (AP) — Born and raised in Chauvin, Elrin "Peanut" Fanguy, Jr. is a man of many trades.
For many years, Fanguy, 60, has been a detective for the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office. He's also a musician, painter and seasoning creator.
"Someone asked me 'What don't you do?' Well, I don't bungee jump or jump out of planes," he said.
Fanguy began playing the trumpet at Chauvin's St. Joseph Benedictine High School, which closed in 1972.
That year, Fanguy enrolled in the University of Southwestern Louisiana, known today as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, to study music education.
"We were starting to see that people weren't finding jobs though," he said.
After one semester, Fanguy quit school and began working in the oilfield, where he remained until 1985.
Although he didn't complete his studies in music, Fanguy continued to play semi-professionally for many years.
Beginning in 1974 and lasting for more than 10 years, he sang and played trumpet for the band Tequila Sunrise with his younger brother and cousins.
From 1980 to 1985, he also played in the six-member band Swamp Fever with musician Waylon Thibodeaux, who is best known for his CDs "Papa Thibodeaux," ''In Jackson Square" and "Tu Me Fais Crier" as well as his participation in the Voice of the Wetlands All-Stars.
While he does not currently play in any bands, Fanguy said he often can be spotted singing karaoke at local venues.
"I love music. I always did," he said.
In 1986, Fanguy began working as a patrolman for the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office, and within three years, he became a shift supervisor.
Through the Sheriff's Office, he also worked as a composite artist and juvenile detective.
Although he officially retired in 2009, he has continued to work as a part-time employee with the Sheriff's Office.
In 1999, Fanguy underwent open heart surgery, and out of necessity for his health, he was forced to discontinue the use of his favorite seasoning, which was high in sodium.
"I started playing around with seasoning until I came up with something that was low sodium," he said. "Everybody loved it."
Shortly afterward, he began selling his seasoning, Peanut's Happy Kajun Seasoning, at Rouses Supermarket, Cannata's Family Market and several other local stores.
Although he stopped producing his seasoning last year, he continues to cook gourmet meals at home.
Dale Authement, 60, grew up with Fanguy in Chauvin, attended school and often played music with him.
Authement moved to Jayess, Miss., in Lawrence County about 20 years ago, and over the years, the close friends lost touch.
However, the duo reconnected about three years ago at local festivals where Authement and his wife sell pepper jellies and Fanguy sells his artwork.
Although Authement knew Fanguy was talented with a pencil and paper, he said he was surprised when he saw the detail and creativity in his paintings.
"One day, he posted on Facebook a picture that he drew and painted, and I just couldn't believe it," he said. "Today, I've probably got seven or eight of his paintings here at my house. I call it my 'Peanut Gallery.'"
Fanguy said he enjoys painting Louisiana subjects, including shrimp boats, fleur de lis and plantation homes.
"My grandpa was a boat builder, and he drew. So I pretty much picked that up from him," he said. "I took art in school, but as far as painting, I started about three years ago. I love to paint. That's my Xanax; that's my release."
– by AP/ Reporter Kate Mabry with The Courier
