In short, Blayze & Saddles is a country-western, honky tonk band from south Louisiana. Drawing heavily from the 60s-70s Bakersfield sound, they offer up a brand of country music not to be found anywhere else in the state. Meanwhile, it’s inevitable that their cajun, swamp-pop, and rock n’ roll backgrounds bleed through on nearly every song.
Blayze Viator, who grew up in Nashville, TN and spent 6 years on the scene up there, is mostly known as the front man of indie rock band, The Viatones. Unable to keep occupied with that alone, he set out to pursue his other love…classic country!
The band includes some of the best, and most sought-after players in the area. Cajun messiah, Feufollet front-man, and Viatones lead-guitarist, Chirs Stafford, takes the helm on telecaster and fiddle. Also from Feufollet, you’ve got bassist Philippe Billeaudeaux holding things down and keeping it in the pocket. Billeaudeaux helped recruit UL history professor, John Troutman, on pedal steel and telecaster. The two worked together while touring with swamp-pop super group, Lil’ Band o’ Gold. Then, on drums and harmonies, there’s Charles Vincent, who has toured the world with Cedric Watson et Bijou Creole, among others. Put all these guys in the same room, and you’ve got something sweeter than Yoohoo!