Steve Riley

Steve Riley and his band, the Mamou Playboys, have quickly risen to the top of the Cajun music heap and are well-known on the festival and club circuit as Beausoleil. Clearly, the band's '90s-styled Cajun rhythms and melodies have touched a nerve with crowds around the U.S., Canada, and Europe. The band sings only in French, reflecting their serious attitude about maintaining the Cajun music tradition as practiced in southwest Louisiana. Riley plays accordion, writes songs, and sings, but he shares songwriter responsibilities with the other members of his band: David Greely on...