The CACHAGUA PLAYBOYS take their name from the remote area of Cachagua, in upper Carmel Valley, California, a favorite hiding place of the local native people during the Spanish missions period.
Since our humble beginnings in December of 1993, our aim is to share the heritage of Louisiana's traditional Cajun and Zydeco music. Being very fond of the music of Clifton Chenier, Beausoleil, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, and Boozoo Chavis, to name but a few, the Cachagua Playboys share many of these artists' songs with their California audiences.
Having honed their skills playing many other styles of music, the 'boys have created a unique sound, best described as "Americana". With the recent release of the second CD " SURF ZYDECO" the Playboys are attempting to bridge the distance from California to the deep south, taking listeners on a ride through many styles of music on one disc.
They have appeared at many festivals including the Monterey Bay Blues Festival, The Monterey World Music Festival, the Cotati Accordion Festival, Marina Festival of the Winds, First Night Monterey and Galante Vineyards concerts. Most recently the Playboys opened for legendary songwriter Tom Russell at the Moonlight Mountaintop Festival at Ventana Rim Ranch.
They have also shared the stage with music legends such as Asleep at the Wheel, John Delafose, Danny Pollard, Deke Dickerson, Aaron and Charles Neville, Steven Bruton, Robert Earl Keen, the Iguanas and many others.
They have been interviewed on numerous radio stations in Monterey, Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties, including KPIG, KZSC, KUSP, KKUP and KAZU, and also KKCR in Kauai, Hawaii.
In January, 2001 they released their first CD, "The Cachagua Playboys" containing original songs and cover versions of Jerry Garcia's "Deal" and Professor Longhair's classic "She Walks Right In".
The Cachagua Playboys have become a favorite band on the Central California Coast and are regularly welcomed to perform by anxious dancers and happy fans.
The Cachagua Playboys are:
JOHN TALLON - Drums, Vocals
RICK CHELEW - Bass Guitar, Vocals
MIKE ECKSTROM - Guitar, Rub Board, Vocals
PAT CLARK - Fiddle, Guitar, Vocals
KEVIN GOULD - Accordian, Vocals
We are proud to announce the release of our second album " SURF ZYDECO " recorded on analog 16-track tape by Gary Souza at Real-to-Reel Studio, Sand City, California; and mixed and mastered by Coast Recorders and Paul Stubblebine, San Francisco, California.
