Dale Mann
Grand Marshal of the Krewe of Krewes Parade
Dale Mann spent 50 years in the broadcasting industry and about 40 of those
years in the Lake Charles area. He started at KPLC Radio in the mid ‘60s and
worked throughout the South including Atlanta, Memphis, Nashville, and Mississippi
before returning home to Lake Charles. Some of you may remember him
on the radio on KPLC, KLCL, KIKS, Q-101, KAOK,
K-BIG 99, Gator 99.5, KBYS, and KYKZ. He was part
of the team at KYKZ that was awarded the CMA Small
Market Station of the Year, the only time a Louisiana
station ever won this award.
Dale was voted Best Radio Air Personality 20 years
in a row by the readers of Lagniappe. He also won the
Harper Clark Spirit Award by United Way and Th e
WBTV Best Radio Personality Award in 1999. Now
retired, Dale still keeps busy as an emcee for numerous
events such as classic car shows, festivals, concerts,
and various Mardi Gras events. He serves as a Chamber
of Commerce Ambassador, and continues to serve
on the Mardi Gras of SWLA board of directors. You
can hear his voice on radio and TV commercials for
local companies, including Pumpelly Tire.
06 • MARDI GRAS SOUTHWEST • FEBRUARY 24, 2020
Jaxon Spikes
Motor Gras Parade Marshal
Jaxson Spikes was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in June
2018. He went from being a happy and healthy child in a few short
weeks to running a continuous fever and becoming lethargic.
He was diagnosed at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans where
and transferred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Jaxson
received six rounds of chemotherapy treatments, 11 rounds of
antibodies, a stem cell transplant
and 17 rounds of radiation, and
was in ICU nine times. Aft er his
second round of treatment, the
mass in his abdomen and other
cancerous tissue was removed.
Despite numerous setbacks, he
has fought back every single
time. He fi nished his fi nal phase
of treatments in November and
scans revealed that he is cancerfree.
Jaxson will be fi ve on February
24 and is doing really well.
He loves being home and playing
with his three brothers, Derek,
Cameron and Kellan.
Mike Soileau, Merchant Parade Marshal
Mike Soileau was born and raised in Southwest Louisiana, and has lived in
Lake Charles most of his life. He went to Lagrange High (Geaux Gators!) and
McNeese State University. He started in radio in 1990, and has been on three
local frequencies: 99.5FM, 92.9FM, and 1470AM for his whole 30-year career.
He is the brand manager for Gator 99.5 and Cajun Radio and one part of Mike
and Kassie in the morning on Gator
99.5 Mike was inducted into the
Cajun French Music Hall of Fame in
2017 and was voted the Best Radio
DJ two years in a row by his listeners
and readers of Lagniappe. He and
his beautiful bride Christie have five
children and six grandchildren. He
loves Country and Cajun music, bass
fishing, cooking, drinkin’ beer in his
bar, Mardi Gras and having a great
time with his family and friends.
Phoenix Barnes
Children’s Parade Marshal
Phoenix Barnes was born with a chromosomal defect called
DiGeorge Syndrome, resulting in several complex congenital heart
defects. He was also born with a congenital virus called CMV,
resulting in brain abnormalities. Phoenix is feeding tube and
tracheostomy dependent. He spent 358
consecutive days in the hospital during
the fi rst year of his life, mostly in ICU.
He has endured three open heart surgeries,
20+ minor surgeries and procedures,
and has had over 15 close
calls with death. Today, Phoenix is a
happy, rambunctious three-year-old,
but still has more heart surgeries
in the near future. His mother says
there is a huge lesson in gratitude
raising a sick child, and they try not
to take anything for granted. They
stay focused in the moment, keep
their faith strong, and always thank
God for what they have today.