The Crawdad Wranglers are led by Ryan Thomson on fiddle and accordion. The band performs cajun and zydeco dance music of Louisiana, Tex-Mex, and original tunes including selections by Dewey Balfa, Clifton Chenier, Buckwheat Zydeco, Hank Williams, John Fogerty, and D.L. Menard. Ryan Thomson has studied and played informally with nationally known cajun master musicians such as Michael Doucet (Beausoleil), Dewey Balfa, Eddie Lejune, and Canray Fontenot. He recognizes the importance of preserving the traditions and roots of cajun music. He reflects this respect in his own playing while creating a highly danceable mix of traditional and modern styles. Cajun and Zydeco music is a musical gumbo, blending many influences including French, black, Spanish, and early country music. The accordion and fiddle are the Crawdad's lead instruments, and the rhythm is strong, inviting, and irresistible to dancers. To cook up the Wranglers sound; you mix a heaping helping of rural "Cajun" folk music with a dash of blues, rock 'n' roll, and Caribbean and Latin beats.
In the photo above Ryan teaches cajun 2 step at the Bread and Roses Festival. He is experienced in teaching traditional cajun dance steps such as the two step, waltz, and "cajun jitterbug." His entertaining and patient teaching style will get any group of beginners up and dancing quicker than you can say "Jambalaya!" "A wild evening of food, music, and dancing!" ....Haverhill Gazette "Cajun music and food set sizzling pace at party" ...Lawrence Eagle-Tribune "Crawdads get crowd hoppin'"....Foster's Daily Democrat "Sizzling!" ..."Dancers wrangle with Cajun style" ....Portsmouth Herald