Roddie Romero & the Hub City All Stars

Biography

Roddie Romero & the Hub City All Stars are a celebrated Louisiana band known for their electrifying blend of Cajun, zydeco, blues, swamp pop, and roots rock. Founded by Roddie Romero, who was born and raised in Lafayette’s rural Southside, the group embodies the spirit of Acadiana—Louisiana’s Cajun and Creole heartland. Romero’s musical journey began early, inspired by family gatherings where his grandfather played accordion, and he quickly became a prodigy, teaching himself the instrument and performing professionally while still in high school. His mother even helped pass the 'Roddie Romero Bill,' allowing minors to perform in adult venues if accompanied by a guardian.

The Hub City All Stars formed over two decades ago, with Romero joined by longtime collaborator and pianist Eric Adcock. The band’s lineup has also included guitarist Chad Viator, bassist Chris French, and drummers Jermaine Prejean and Gary Usie. Their sound is anchored by Romero’s soulful vocals, masterful accordion, and slide guitar, with Adcock’s boogie-woogie and R&B piano stylings adding depth. Their original compositions and dynamic live shows have earned them three Grammy nominations, including for 'The La Louisianne Sessions' and 'Gulfstream.' The group is renowned for their improvisational performances—often playing without setlists—and for honoring Louisiana’s musical heritage while pushing its boundaries.

Romero and the Hub City All Stars have performed at major festivals and venues worldwide, earning acclaim for both their authentic interpretations of traditional music and their innovative songwriting. Their legacy is that of true ambassadors for Louisiana’s roots music, bridging generations and genres, and inspiring a new wave of musicians to embrace and evolve the region’s rich cultural traditions.

Fun Facts

• Roddie Romero was so dedicated to performing as a teenager that his mother helped pass the 'Roddie Romero Bill' in Louisiana, allowing minors to play in adult venues if accompanied by a guardian.
• Romero discovered his passion for slide guitar during a soundcheck with Sonny Landreth at the Montreal Jazz Festival, which became a defining element of his style.
• The band is known for never using setlists during live shows, often changing tempos and arrangements spontaneously to keep both the band and audience engaged.
• One of Romero’s early albums reached #1 in the Netherlands while he was still in high school.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Roddie Romero's grandfather - Introduced Romero to the accordion at family gatherings, sparking his early passion for Cajun and zydeco music. (N/A (family influence)) [1980s]
• Sonny Landreth - Slide guitar legend whose soundcheck at the Montreal Jazz Festival inspired Romero to adopt slide guitar as part of his signature style. (Montreal Jazz Festival encounter) [Romero's teenage years]
• Clifton Chenier - Major stylistic influence; Chenier's zydeco innovations are reflected in Romero's accordion playing and songwriting. (Romero's overall style and repertoire) [Ongoing]

Key Collaborators

• Eric Adcock - Longtime pianist, songwriter, and co-leader of the Hub City All Stars; joined after the original keyboardist left. (All Hub City All Stars albums and live performances) [2000s–present]
• Chad Viator - Guitarist with the band, contributing to their signature Louisiana roots-rock sound. (Hub City All Stars recordings and tours) [2000s–present]
• Chris French - Bassist anchoring the rhythm section. (Hub City All Stars recordings and tours) [2000s–present]
• Jermaine Prejean / Gary Usie - Drummers who have performed and recorded with the band. (Hub City All Stars recordings and tours) [2000s–present]
• John Porter - Produced the Grammy-nominated album 'Gulfstream.' (Gulfstream (2016)) [2016]

Artists Influenced

• Emerging Louisiana roots musicians - Romero and the band are widely credited with inspiring a new generation of Cajun, zydeco, and roots artists through their innovative yet authentic approach. (Regional festival lineups, mentorship at workshops) [2000s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Ma jolie (Gulfstream)
2. By Your Side (Gulfstream)
3. I Hope (Gulfstream)
4. Gulfstream (Gulfstream)
5. Mama's Fried Chicken (The La Louisianne Sessions)
6. My Baby Is the Real Thing (Gulfstream)
7. Rock 'n' Roll & Soul Radio (Gulfstream)
8. One Trick Pony (Gulfstream)
9. Po' Boy Walk (Gulfstream)
10. Party Down (The La Louisianne Sessions)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia