Well, that's what it says on Facebook, so it must be true!

Can anyone elaborate or confirm?

--bn

Aside from Steve, isn't he the only other remaining original member?

They've been together for about 20 years, so, not really too surprising. Kinda too bad though - I always liked what he brought to the band, including the vocals. Steve's vocals are OK, but David's were always good.

-David

This is an email I received today regarding David Greely.
We would like to announce, with enough solemnity but not too much,
that David Greely will be retiring from the Mamou Playboys, with his
final performance with the band on Mardi Gras Day. David cofounded
the
Mamou Playboys with Steve in 1988, and has spent a fantastic 23 years
with the best band he has ever known, but his audiologist has
informed
him that he must avoid dance hall sound levels. In February and March
David will go on his final tours with the band, to the Midwest and
Northeast, along with a handful of South Louisiana dates.

David will continue recording, teaching and performing Cajun music,
solo and in small acoustic groups, at home, across the country, and
worldwide. He continues to be the best of friends with Steve, Sam,
Kevin, Braz, and Scott, and he would like to thank the Mamou
Playboys’
fans for their support and goodwill over the decades.
Le Piquant

Yes...I spoke to David today and he confirmed it. As Le Piquant posted, it is due to his hearing...he just can't take the volume from the live shows anymore.

While I am very sad to see him go, I'd rather see him put his health first. There will be some very large shoes to fill once he leaves the Mamou Playboys.

Sad news, especially the news about David's hearing. Good news -
David is the announced fiddler and fiddle teacher at Folklore Village
in Dodgeville Wisconsin in early April.

Hmmm....tinnitus or similar I guess..

A good sound system in a favourable environment shouldn't cause too much of a problemn for the musos as foldbacks can be levelled and balanced to a comfort level for the band.

We recently played a large outdoor venue with a superb sound system and sound engineers supplied, and it was quite comfortable for us band members....they tell me FOH sound was ' punchy' and crisp...our foldback was excellent .

My experience however,is the small clubs and venues where you get foldback PLUS reflected FOH levels really start to cause issues like creeping' deafness'( where you think you can't hear yourself as well as you did at the start of the gig )and ringing ears on the way home and the next day sometimes...especially after playing a multi-set long gig.

I don't think there'll be a real problem getting a top class fiddler for the Playboys..they probably have someone lined up already....but I suspect Dave's contribution to vocal harmonies, that Cajun feel of the songs, composition skills , band management, etc. will be the issue....he's a real good guy....sincerely wish him all the best.

I dunno...

Plenty of venues with so-called "first rate" sound systems have blown out my ears.

I think any musician who claims not to have any tinnitus at all is simply tuning it out well...

I'm excited he's coming up to Folklore Village, can't wait to learn from him again. Did I also read correctly that Charlie is teaching fiddle this year?

I remember when one of my girlfriends announced her retirement from Playboy, I was sad.

Jim where is the like button on this site?
Le Piquant

Jerry, I'll be glad to explain to you where the "like" button is, but not in mixed company . . .

One can always count on their friends.
Le Piquant

Uh Jamey ..

"This one time .. at band camp .."