Doug Kershaw Biography
Douglas James Kershaw, 24 January 1936, Tiel Ridge, Louisiana, USA. This renowned fiddle player and vocalist is a major figure in Cajun, or Acadian circles, the traditional music of Louisiana's French-speaking minority. He was introduced to music by "Daddy Jack" and "Mama Rita", who subsequently appeared on many of the artist's compositions, and joined a family-based band, the Continental Playboys, on leaving high school. When Kershaw's songwriting talent resulted in a publishing and recording contract, he formed a duo with one of his brothers, and with his brother Rusty (b. 2 February 1940, Tiel Ridge, Louisiana, USA d. 23 October 2001) as Rusty And Doug quickly became popular throughout the southern USA. By 1956, they were a regular attraction on The World's Original Jamboree, a weekly showcase for local talent, and the following year enjoyed a residency on the famed Grand Ole Opry. Three of Kershaw's original compositions, "Louisiana Man", "Joli Blon" and "Diddy Liggy Lo", not only became Cajun standards, but have been the subject of numerous cover versions by both pop and country acts. The brothers embarked on separate careers in 1964, but despite the approbation of their peers, Kershaw did not secure a larger audience until 1968, when he guested on The Johnny Cash Show. This appearance coincided with the release of The Cajun Way, the artist's debut for Warner Brothers Records, which affirmed his new-found popularity. Cameos on albums by Bob Dylan and John Stewart endeared Kershaw to the rock fraternity, while a series of stellar 70s recordings confirmed his talent as a flamboyant musician and gifted composer. He signed with Scotti Bros. in 1981, and achieved his highest chart position (number 29) with "Hello Woman" the same year. After an enforced absence through substance abuse, he returned to the charts in 1988 with "Cajun Baby", on which he duetted with Hank Williams Jnr.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.
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