Dwayne Dopsie & The Hellraisers

Dwayne Dopsie is on a mission to change the image of Louisiana swamp music. The youngest son
of the Grammy winning, late King of Zydeco, Rockin' Dopsie, Dwayne has his work cut out for him
and is doing the job in grandiose fashion. Coming from such a serious musical heritage can often be
intimidating, but with one foot firmly planted in his family tradition and the other in innovation,
Dwayne has accepted the challenge wholeheartedly and continues to be the innovator.
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.
But Dwayne’s fondness of the washboard 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. He tributes what he learned to
watching live and recorded performances of his father. Dad 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. Following his father’s death in 1993, Dwayne stayed on with the family band which was
taken over by his older brother David “Rockin' Dopsie”, Jr.
1997 found Dwayne leaving his brothers and beginning his career outside of the family band.
In mid-October 1998 Dwayne won his first accordion contest at the Raddison Hotel, New
Orleans and on January 26th, 1999 Dwayne debuted his newly formed band Dwayne Dopsie and the
Zydeco Hell Raisers at Club La Strada located on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Dwayne had Club La
Strada rocking as the house band for several years. In 1999, Dwayne won the America's
Hottest Accordionist contest held at the Lawrence Welk Resort in Branson Missouri. As
recipient, he was featured on CBS Sunday Morning, Good Morning America and in USA Today.
Dwayne’s music and his ability to work the crowd have become core strengths. His shows are
a pedal to the metal affair, and he doesn’t confine himself to just the stage. Blurring the barrier
between performer and audience, Dwayne is en route to making the entire world his personal
party. "Its all about having a good time!" he states.
Backed by a dynamic five piece band, The Hellraisers, Dwayne is currently burning the trail on
several continents, touring to support his latest Sound of New Orleans release, Up In Flames
and working on a new release for 2011. Reviews of his performances and recordings are
always glowing, and several festivals with ‘no repeat’ policies for their acts have asked him
back the following year.
Dwayne invites you to visit his web site at www.dwaynedopsie.com for more information,
such as touring schedule, and streaming videos and MP3 segments.