Dwayne Dopsie

Dwayne Rubin, better known by his stage name Dwayne Dopsie, is an American Zydeco musician. He is the accordionist and vocalist for his New Orleans-based band, Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers.

Dwayne Dopsie in 2022

Biography

Dwayne Dopsie is the youngest of accordionist Rockin' Dopsie's eight children, and picked up music in the household from an early age. He began playing washboard at age six and accordion at seven, and performed with his father on stage at Mardi Gras and on television for a Super Bowl halftime during his childhood.[1]

After Rockin' Dopsie died in 1993, Dwayne Dopsie dropped out of high school to pursue zydeco music full-time.[1] He founded his own band, the Zydeco Hellraisers, in 1999 when he was nineteen years old,[2] and that same year was named "America's Hottest Accordionist" in a competition run by the American Accordion Association.[3]

In 2013, Dopsie collaborated with Corey Ledet, Anthony Dopsie and Andre Thierry on the album Nothin' But the Best, which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Regional Roots Music Album.[4] Dopsie received another nomination in the same category for his 2017 album Top of the Mountain. Dopsie plays regularly at New Orleans events such as Mardi Gras and Jazz & Heritage Festival, has done numerous tours of the United States,[5][6][7][8] and has toured internationally several times, including performances in Canada, Georgia, and China.[3] In 2018, Dopsie signed with Louisiana Red Hot Records, who released Bon Ton in the June, 2019.

Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers, 2010

Music

Dopsie's style is grounded in Zydeco but incorporates musical elements from rock and roll, rhythm and blues, blues, and reggae.[9]

Zydeco Hellraisers members
Current
  • Dwayne Dopsie - accordion, vocals
  • Brandon David - guitar, vocals
  • Percy Walker - drums
  • Dion Pierre - bass
  • Paul Lafleur - washboard
  • Tim McFatter - saxophone
Former
  • Alex MacDonald - washboard, vocals
  • Calvin Sam - drums
  • Carl Landry - saxophone
  • Shelton Sonnier - guitar, vocals
  • Vincent Doucet - washboard
  • Kipori Woods - guitar
  • Dee Fleming - drums
  • Kevin Minor - drums
  • Reggie Smith Jr. - saxophone

Discography
Studio albums
  • Now It Begins (1999)
  • Dopsie Strikes (2001)
  • Travelin' Man (2006)
  • Up In Flames (2009)
  • Been Good To You (2011)
  • Calling Your Name (2015)
  • Top Of The Mountain (2017, Grammy Nominated)
  • Bon Ton (2019)
Live albums
  • Get Down! (2011)
  • Dopsie's Got It (2014)

References
  1. BOB Profile: Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers. Houma Times, August 30, 2013.
  2. New music spotlight: Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers. WWOZ, August 18, 2005.
  3. Dopsie salutes father's zydeco legacy. The Advertiser, October 12, 2016.
  4. Grammys 2013: Complete list of nominees and winners. Los Angeles Times, February 10, 2013.
  5. Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers, Local Newgrass Part of 8 Great Tuesdays. Erie Reader, July 22, 2015.
  6. Review: Cool music, high energy at 24th annual Pennsylvania Blues Festival. The Morning Call, July 26, 2015.
  7. Dwayne Dopsie and the Hellraisers: Bringing the Bayou to Little Egypt. Carbondalerocks.com, July 2016.
  8. Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers. Tahoe Weekly, July 24, 2013.
  9. Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers, Calling Your Name (Sound of New Orleans). OffBeat, August 26, 2015.
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