Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers

“He has no competition in his genres, he’s the Jimmy Hendrix of the accordion.” -Rolling Stone
2018 Grammy award nominee and “America’s Hottest Accordion” winner Dwayne Dopsie plays a high-energy zydeco that keeps you wanting more. Dwayne hails from one of the most influential zydeco families in the world. Although inspired by tradition, he has developed his own style that defies existing stereotypes and blazes a refreshingly distinct path for 21st century zydeco music.

Dwayne attributes his musical abilities to his father, Rockin’ Dopsie, Sr., a pioneer of zydeco music. As a small child, Dwayne was interested in the washboard, but quickly realized he had incredible talent with an accordion. He has played the accordion since age 7.

“This is my calling,” he says. “Zydeco music is in my blood and it is my heart and soul.”

This singer/songwriter and accordionist has performed in 40 countries and also in hundreds of cities across the United States, Europe, Brazil, Panama and Canada since debuting his band at age 19. Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers has been in Rolling Stone magazine and on the Big City Blues magazine cover, and has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, the Travel Channel, Food Network, and the Jamie Kennedy Experiment. The group has also been featured in Soul Bag and Offbeat magazines.

Because of the energy and power of the music they play, he and the band have won several Offbeat Magazine awards for the last six years for best accordion, best zydeco artist, best zydeco band and best zydeco album. Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers were also nominated for a 2018 Grammy award for the Best Regional Roots Music Album. Dwayne was featured in “Jazz Fest- A New Orleans Story” which won the 2023 Grammy for Best Music Film. This group not only pumps out incredible zydeco music, but Dwayne’s incredible showmanship, interaction with the crowd, and the rhythm and blues in their music make it a performance not to miss!