| Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys | |
| Background: | group_or_band |
| Origin: | Louisiana, United States |
| Years Active: | 1988–present |
| Website: | Mamouplayboys.com |
| Label: | Rounder Records |
| Current Members: | Steve Riley David Greely Sam Broussard Burke Riley Philippe Billeaudeaux |
| Past Members: | Jimmy Domengeaux David Greely Peter Schwarz Kevin Wimmer |
Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys are an American Cajun band from southern Louisiana.[1] The band formed in 1988 and has since recorded 10 albums, nine of which are on Rounder Records.
The band includes Steve Riley (accordion, b. 1969), David Greely (fiddle), Sam Broussard (guitar), Burke Riley (drums/guitar) and Philippe Billeaudeaux (bass) and formerly Jimmy Domengeaux (guitar) before his death in 1999.[2] Kevin Wimmer (fiddle) joined the band in 2011. Riley is a native of Mamou, Louisiana and a cousin of the noted Cajun musician and accordion builder Marc Savoy.
Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys started in 1988 by Steve Riley and David Greely. They have been very prolific with more than 10 CD's almost exclusively in Cajun French. Their style has grown from exclusively traditional music of Riley's mentors Dewey Balfa, Belton Richard, and Walter Mouton to a more personal style that still has a distinctively Cajun sound.
They released a 'Best of' compilation album in 2008, which featured some of their greatest hits.[3]
David Greely retired from the band due to hearing problems. His last performance was the 2011 Mardi Gras dance in Eunice, Louisiana.[4] In June of 2022 David Greely was back playing with the band.
Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys have been nominated for two Grammy Awards in The Best Traditional Folk Album category, one Grammy nomination was for Trace of Time for Best Traditional Folk Album,[5] and the second was for Bon Rêve in 2004.[6]