David Greely

Who is David Greely?

David Greely is a renowned professional fiddler from south Louisiana.

Greely was born of Irish and Cajun ancestry in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on June 12, 1953. Raised in Livingston Parish, he began singing for family and friends at age three and sang in choirs and gospel quartets throughout his childhood and adolescence. At age seventeen Greely discovered the fiddle while at a rock concert and purchased his first instrument the next day. His aptitude for the fiddle soon resulted in his invitation to join his first band, Cornbread. The group performed bluegrass and classic country music in Colorado, Louisiana, and Arkansas until 1978.

Greely moved on to Nashville in 1976, where he performed country music in night clubs and recording sessions until 1980, when he relocated to Texas to work in country dance halls. In 1985 he began playing Cajun music on the Riverwalk in San Antonio.

In late 1986 he returned to Louisiana where he performed in restaurants and bars until he met Cajun accordionist Steve Riley, with whom he formed the Mamou Playboys in 1988. With the group, Greely split his time between touring internationally and performing in rural dance halls in south Louisiana.