Chubby Carrier

by Craig HarrisThe traditional two-steps and blues-inspired rhythms of Zydeco are transformed into the modern dance-inspiring music of Roy "Chubby" Carrier and his group, The Bayou Swamp Band. While The Chicago Tribune referred to Carrier as "one of the finer s ndard bearers of the classic Zydeco sound among the new generation of Louisiana bands", The Worcester Telegram And Gazette praised Carrier for his "unbridled enthusiasm and the ability to make a party happen whether he's playing for five people or fiv hundred" and The Atlanta Daily News wrote that Carrier "knows how to let the good times roll with the power and precision of a seasoned musician." Carrier hails from one of Zydeco's most important families. His grandfather was one of Zydeco's first musicians. His father, Roy Carrier, Sr., continues to balance his work on an oil rig with performances with his own band. Several of his cousins toured and recorded as the Carrier Brothers. Taught the accordion by his father, Carrier made his debut with his father's band at the age of twelve. For most of his teens, however, he played drums in the band, taking over the accordion when his father's work prevented him from playing with the group. After playing accordion in a series of high school bands, Carrier accepted an invitation to play the frottoir (washboard) for Terrance Simien and the Mallet Playboys in 1986. He remained with the band until 1989 when he left to form his own group with s brothers, Troy "Dikki Du" Carrier and Kevin Carrier sharing washboard responsbilities. The original band, which also included lead guitarist David LeJeune and bassist Rodney Dural, recorded their debut album, Go Zydeco Go, shortly after being formed Their first nationally-distributed album, Boogie Woogie Zydeco, followed in 1991. Carrier's breakthrough came with his third album, Dance All Night. Released in 1993, the album received a Living Blues critics award as "Best Zydeco album of the yea . Carrier's fourth album, Who Stole the Hot Sauce, featured impressive renditions of War's "The Cisco Kid" and Pete Townshend's "Squeeze Box."