MotorDude Zydeco

MotorDude Zydeco
Sunday at Friar Tuck's from 1pm to 5pm

Formed in 1989, MotorDude Zydeco plays zydeco — the infectious dance music of the Creole people of Southwest Louisiana. Led by Lake Charles, Louisiana native R.C. Carrier (vocals and rub board) and Billy Wilson (accordion), the band has performed for enthusiastic audiences in clubs, concerts, and festivals throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe.

The band took its name from Motor Dude, a horse owned by the late, great zydeco accordion wizard Boozoo Chavis. With the blessings of Mr. Chavis, the band rode off with the name MotorDude and more than a little musical guidance. Over the years the band has taken Mr. Chavis’ words of wisdom to heart, “If you do something long enough, it gets good!”

Based in the zydeco tradition, MotorDude Zydeco utilizes piano accordion, button accordion, rub board, guitar, bass, drums and vocals to create its distinctive sound. Many of their songs are sung in Creole French. The quintet’s irresistible rhythms and high-energy performances are guaranteed to fill any dance floor.

In February 2005 MotorDude Zydeco was honored as the Zydeco Band of the Year by the Bay Area Blues Society.

Billy Wilson, Accordion: Billy is a twenty-five-year veteran of the Bay Area Cajun and Zydeco music scene. He has performed with such noted Cajun and Zydeco musicians as Danny Poullard & the California Cajun Orchestra, Dewey Balfa, D.L. Menard, Marc Savoy, Michael Doucet, and John Delafose. An accomplished multi-instrumentalist, Billy plays bass, guitar, fiddle, ukulele, and steel guitar as well as piano accordion and button accordion. Billy formed MotorDude Zydeco in October 1989.

R.C. Carrier, Locals and Rub Board: As a youth in Lake Charles, LA, R.C. learned many of the traditional Creole French tunes he sings today with MotorDude Zydeco. A professional musician for more than thirty years, R.C. has toured the United States and abroad with zydeco greats Clifton Chenier, Boozoo Chavis, Preston Frank, C.J. Chenier and Rockin’ Sidney.

John Graham, Guitar: A twenty-year veteran of the Bay Area music scene, John is also a founding member of MotorDude Zydeco. In addition to playing guitar with Superior Angels gospel group and rock star Bruce Springstein, John has performed and recorded with blues men J.J. Malone, Sonny Rhodes, and Birdlegg.

Dennis Calloway, Bass and Vocals: Dennis is a twenty-five-year zydeco scene veteran. He cut his musical teeth touring the globe with the Grammy-winning zydeco bands of Queen Ida and Al Rapone.

Willie Jordan, Drums: Willy Jordon’s drumming is formed by his extensive musical background (blues, zydeco, rhythm and blues, soul, funk, rock, and jazz). He has performed and/or recorded with Elvin Bishop, Frank Morgan, Charlie Musselwhite, Carlos Santana, A Case of the Willys, and Gator Beat. From 1996 to 1998 Willy toured and recorded with blues legend John Lee Hooker.