News - #10 OCTOBER, 1997

Geno & Steve-o Doubleheaders It's the Mamou Playboys vs. Geno Delafose & French Rockin Boogie, hitting five mid-western cities in the coming weeks. The double-billings promise to be especially energetic as these powerhouses of the Louisiana prairie collide. Geno and Steve used to jam together back in their high school days and their two bands shared the stage several years ago on the Rounder Records tour. It was hot then, this'll be even better! Colorado Trip A Big Success Thanks to the persistence of Steve Burnside, who's Zukes of Zydeco are Colorado's premier dance band, we finally made it up there. And, what better month than August to escape the heat and head for the mountains! One gig way up on a ski slope in Snowmass was a little slick (there wasn't much in the way of oxygen either)! The crowd jumped around, fell down and boogied  down (especially a rowdy group of Lafayette natives). Then, Brian Finn treated us like kings in Gold Hill, the little town at 8,000 feet that time forgot. After a five course meal and a warmup by the Zukes, we put in our most intense performance in some time. The little tavern nearly burst at the seams. If you don't believe us, just ask Brad Paul of Rounder Records. He seemed to be having fun! We also had a fun time with Nick & Helen Forster at the E-Town taping in Boulder. Now we can say we've played every national live radio show there is (period). Hopefully you caught the broadcast (it aired the last week of September on some 100+ radio stations nationwide). Festivals Acadiens Weekend It was another charged and emotional appearance at Girard Park this year. This festival continues to be a defining annual performance for us, even after all these years.  Bouncing from a spectacular show on Saturday night at a packed Grant Street Dance Hall, we hit the festival Sunday with two secret weapons, a sitting giant and a swaggering munchkin. The former, Randall Foreman, has become an indispensible part of our sound with his superior skill and tasteful steel guitar playing. We just can't get enough (he also traveled to Rhode Island to help us out over Labor Day. Thanks Randall!). The latter was of course little Hunter Hayes, who hit the stage "donating" songs left and right. That got people's attention! Dirty Linen Thumbs Up Once again, Dirty Linen Magazine has characterized us in glowing terms. A review of Frday at Last states that we're "a now-veteran band that has mastered its craft." A feature on the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival reported that our "entire performance was electrifying, as each note, each solo, and every harmony part gave way to an overpowering feeling of charisma that has become a trademark of Riley's well-oiled band." Wow! That one is headed directly to the promotional department. The Best of the Rest Labor Day we went coast to coast to play the Bumbershoot Festival in Seattle. Believe it or not, it was worth it! Mike & Kathy's Anniversary Party The Wild Magnolia Cafe in Greensboro, NC. College kids diggin' us! A Cajun Festival in the Texas Hill Country? Yup, and it was fun! Those people can dance (and drink). Now we know where Gueydan is. back to news