Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers

Accordión y Voz

Dwayne Dopsie

Washboard

Rodney Sam

Guitarra

Chad Weller

Saxo

Curnis Andrus

Bajo

Glenn Sam

Batería

Calvin Sam

If a Zydeco gene exists in the human DNA, one could definitely find it in Dwayne Dopsie’s blood. As the youngest heir to his father, Rockin' Dopsie Sr., Dwayne comes from a serious musical heritage. With one foot firmly planted in his amily tradition and the other in innovation, Dwayne’s music is quickly reaching audiences of all ages worldwide.

Growing up as the son of a "King" was a real exciting experience for Dwayne. He started out very early trying to be a "Little Band Member." He picked up the washboard at the young age of four and by the age of 6 he was performing on stage with his dad. He even did his first television commercial at the age of six for Community Coffee.

Dwayne’s fondness of the washboard however, was shadowed by his passion for the accordion, which he learned to play at age seven. With dad often on the road, Dwayne was left alone to learn much of the technique involved in playing the accordion. Rockin' Dopsie, Sr. encouraged Dwayne as much as any proud father would by bringing him on stage to play a couple of songs each time Dwayne could make it to a performance. After finishing high school, Dwayne continued to perform with his father's band, also making appearances on the Dolly Parton Show, and Super Bowl Saturday Night. After Rockin' Dopsie, Sr.'s death in 1993, Dwayne stayed on with the family band which was taken over by his older brother David ‘Rockin' Dopsie, Jr.

Dwayne refined his stage show during his stint at Club La Strada in Bourbon Street. His music and his ability to work the crowd have become a core strength. During his shows Dwayne gets on the floor with the crowd and encourages them to dance. He often welcomes his audience to the stage and gets them to participate in the show, for example, by playing the washboard with his band. Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hell Raisers have blurred the barrier between performer.

Currently, Dwayne is burning the trail on several continents touring to support his newest Sound of New Orleans release, Up In Flames. Reviews of both his performances and his newest recording are always glowing. What concerns Europe Dwayne and his band were probably THE act of the 2009 festival season touring Europe from Finland to Spain and from Norway to Italy.