BOB Profile: Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys

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Amidst the jazz, rock, soul and other genres represented in Louisiana, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys bring a traditional Cajun sound to the stage. Riley leads the group with his accordion and emotional delivery of lyrics, most of which are in French.

“It’s a very important part of the music. I think the rhythm of the French language fits better with this music than anything else. It’s a big part of what makes our culture unique and will always be something we strive to keep alive,” Riley said.


The band’s name came from Riley’s hometown of Mamou, where he learned his first song on accordion at 7 and got his own instrument at 13. He grew up watching Cajun musicians perform at his grandparents’ house parties and was especially influenced by accordionists Marc Savoy and “Bois Sec” Ardoin and fiddler Dennis McGee. At 15, he gained recognition outside the state when he began touring with fellow Mamou native Dewey Balfa.

In 1988, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys formed and became weekly performers at Mulate’s restaurant, then located in Baton Rouge, where their audience included such figures as Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits.

“It was the happening place, so a lot of famous people and a lot of people from all over the world would stop there. We started out there and kind of developed our sound,” Riley said. People who had seen him perform with Balfa became interested in the Playboys. “I was just lucky. Things just fell in the right place at the right time.”


Currently, Riley is backed by fiddler Kevin Wimmer, Sam Broussard on guitar, bassist Brazos Huval and Kevin Dugas on drums. The band is working on its first album since 2011’s Grammy-nominated release, “Grand Isle.” They play at performing arts centers, festivals and concert series throughout the world.

National and international gigs often require more description of the Cajun history, but in Louisiana, “this is their culture, people are raised in it. They know the music, and we’re just part of something bigger than ourselves down here,” Riley said.

Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys’ performances include what Riley called “swamp blues,” as well as fiddle-based songs dating back to the 1800s. From waltzes to more upbeat melodies, the group offers a selection honoring Louisiana’s French heritage.


“We cover a lot of musical ground live. … It’s just a good mix of Cajun and Creole music from the early days up to today,” said Riley. “It’s all very much south Louisiana, very danceable – good, high-energy fun.”

Steve Riley and the Mamou PlayboysCOURTESY PHOTO