Steve Riley

GRAMMY-winning and 2023 Cajun French Music Association Hall of Fame inductee Steve Riley found his calling early in life, inspired by his family, his culture and some of the greatest Cajun musicians of all time. Known for his masterful accordion playing, soulful singing and poignant songwriting, Steve’s talent and drive have enabled him to be a full-time musician since his early teens.

In 1988, at the age of 18, Riley co-founded the ever-popular Cajun band Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, earning a leading place in the world music limelight from the get-go. Riley is also a founding member of Lil’ Band O’ Gold, High Performance, the Racines and The Band Courtbouillon, with whom he and fellow band leaders Wayne Toups and Wilson Savoy won the GRAMMY award in 2013. Additionally, Steve has earned five other GRAMMY noms, as well as myriad accolades and awards.

   When asked who his greatest influences in both music and life have been, Riley doesn’t even hesitate. “My maternal grandfather, Burke Guillory, taught me to sing Cajun songs, starting when I was about 3. He was part of that generation of French-speaking Cajuns who worked to bring back the old traditions, and he instilled in me a deep love for my culture. The great accordionist, Marc Savoy, is my dad’s first cousin and as a kid I’d be captivated listening to him and the legendary fiddler, Dennis McGee, playing music together at my grandparents’  houseparties.”

It was the late Dewey Balfa, however, who had the greatest impact on Steve Riley’s early musical life. After being mesmerized by a Balfa Brothers’ recording when he was about 12, Steve received his first accordion at 13, and finally met his soon-to-be mentor at 15. “When we played music together that first time,” Riley recounts, “it was magical. I started touring with him that year until his death when I was 22. He told me, ‘Music is freedom. You will want to do things with it that I probably would never have thought of. Be open to it all. You can spend your life in South Louisiana dance halls, or you can tour the world and experience it all, representing your music and your culture in an informative and positive way.’ I try to live that advice every day.”

Now, at the age of 54, Steve Riley has no intention of slowing down and resting on his laurels. In addition to his gigs with the Mamou Playboys, he teaches online accordion classes and produces musical events under the banner of Steve Riley Productions. (A program called “International Accordion Kings” is coming up at the end of April in Baton Rouge, Lake Charles and New Orleans). Family is a top priority in his life, and along with wife Katie, Steve is passing the musical torch along to his three children: daughter Elise, 20, and sons Burke, 14, who is now the drummer for the Mamou Playboys and Dolsy, 11. “It’s one of the greatest joys of my life to play music with them and see them start their own bands and grow musically. My overriding goal is just to be the best person that I can be for my kids and support them in every way.”