Stephen Randall is a Grammy nominated drummer and has been a professional musician since the late 80's. Born in New Orleans, LA and raised in Lafayette, LA, he has the rare privilege of calling all of south Louisiana home. Stephen began his musical performance journey at Lafayette High School then on to Loyola University in New Orleans and eventually getting his degree from University of New Orleans. As is the case for most musicians though, he got his real education on the stage.
In the early 90's, he started a series of gigs with house bands on Bourbon St. and continued that era until taking a number of road gigs with different touring bands. Stephen has held the drum chair for Louisiana musical talents such as Amanda Shaw, Tab Benoit, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux as a member of the Mardi Gras Indian Tribe, The Golden Eagles and recently drumming for Louisiana’s Rockin’ Fiddler Waylon Thibodeaux.
In a very exciting turn, a friend from the past has come calling and Stephen is now the touring drummer with the Tyron Benoit Band performing Americana rock with that unique Louisiana joie de vivre.
Having recorded with dozens of artists, the Grammy nomination came for a CD he did with high school friend and symphonic band mate, Beth Patterson. Her 2009 CD ‘On Better Paths’ was nominated in the category of Best Contemporary Folk Album.
in 2011, Stephen finally struck out on his own by leading his band, Big Easy Playboys. A hybrid sort of band prominently featuring the sounds of Zydeco and Cajun (yes, they are different kinds of music) and putting that through his filter of playing the streets of New Orleans for over 20 years, he hit on a unique sound that envelopes the listener in a warm embrace of Louisiana love. Preaching the gospel of Louisiana music, The Big Easy Playboys traveled far and wide to share the joy that is their home. In 2013, he produced their first CD, ‘Louisiana Roots’, on the indie label, St. Ven Records. The second disc 'Preview' came out in 2017 and shows a definite artistic turn toward Zydeco and the sounds of the Crescent City.
Recent opportunities have brought Stephen back to his training grounds on Bourbon St. where he can be seen performing many days a week with the Zydeco/Cajun band The DayWalkers. Coming almost full circle, this band features Janson Lohmeyer, the son of Rhonda Lohmeyer from Evangeline (one of Stephen’s favorite bands) and Alex MacDonald who is the adult son of former bandmate, Bruce MacDonald, from when Stephen was in the band Mamou over 20 years ago. Now Stephen is one of the 'Old Guys' on the stage, imparting his wisdom from many years of merry making while still learning from those around him.
Stephen lives in New Orleans and is married to his wife of 23 years, Dr. Cindy Randall AuD., who is an audiologist at the VA clinic in New Orleans helping our veterans. Cindy is a veteran herself having retiered in 2011 at the rank of Major after serving 20 years in the LA Army National Guard Reserves. They have a 20 year old daughter, Caroline, a graduate of Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy and New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. Her musical talent already exceeds that of the rest of the family. Caroline is currently a Junior at the University of New Orleans.