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Doug Kershaw

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Doug Kershaw
Doug Kershaw playing the fiddle at the 2009 Festivals Acadiens et Créoles.
Doug Kershaw playing the fiddle at the 2009Festivals Acadiens et Créoles.
Background information
Birth nameDouglas James Kershaw
Born(1936-01-24)January 24, 1936(age 88)[1][2]
Cameron Parish, Louisiana,U.S.[1][2]
OriginLouisiana
GenresCajun music,country,folk,bluegrass
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals,fiddle,cajun accordion,guitar
Years active1948–present
Websitegrabow.biz/Country/DougKershaw.htm (defunct)

Douglas James Kershaw(born January 24, 1936[1][2]) is an Americanfiddleplayer, singer and songwriter fromLouisiana.Active since 1948, he began his career as part of the duoRusty and Doug,along with his brother,Rusty Kershaw.He had an extensive solo career that included fifteen albums and singles that charted on theHot Country Songscharts. He is also a member of theLouisiana Music Hall of Fame,being inducted in 2009.

Early life[edit]

Born in an unincorporated community called Tiel Ridge inCameron Parish,Kershaw spokeLouisiana Frenchand did not learn English until the age of eight. By that time, he had mastered the fiddle, which he played from the age of five, and was on his way to teaching himself to play 28 instruments.[3]His first gig was at a local bar, the Bucket of Blood, where he was accompanied by his mother on guitar.[4]

Kershaw became interested in Cajun music during parties his parents would host on the family'shouseboatin Louisiana, where he first heard Cajun bands playing the music.

"Doug and Rusty"[edit]

Doug grew up surrounded byCajunfiddle andaccordionmusic. After teaching his brother, Rusty, to play guitar, he formed a band, the Continental Playboys, with Rusty and older brother Nelson "Peewee" Kershaw in 1948.[4]With the departure of Peewee from the group, in the early 1950s,Rusty & Dougcontinued to perform as a duo. In 1955, when Kershaw was nineteen, he and Rusty performed on theLouisiana HayrideKWKHradio broadcast inShreveport,Louisiana.[5]The two also performed at the WWVA Jamboree (later renamedJamboree U.S.A.), inWheeling,West Virginia.[6]

Although the brothers initially sang in French,J. D. "Jay" Miller,owner of theFeature Recordslabel, persuaded them to incorporate songs in English into their repertoire. In 1955, Doug and Rusty recorded their first single, "So Lovely, Baby." Released on the Hickory label, the tune went to number 14 on the country music charts. Later that same year, Doug and Rusty were invited to become members of theLouisiana Hayridecast. The Kershaws appeared at theGrand Ole OpryinNashville, Tennesseeand became regular members of the Opry cast the following year.[3][7] Despite the demands of his music career, Doug enrolled inMcNeese State University,inLake Charles, Louisiana,where he earned anundergraduate degreein Mathematics. At the peak of their early career, in 1958, Doug and Rusty both enlisted in theUnited States Army.They devoted their attention to the military until their discharge three years later.[4]

"Louisiana Man" and solo career[edit]

After fulfilling their military obligation, the two brothers recorded "Louisiana Man",an autobiographical song that Doug had written while in the Army. The song not only sold millions of copies but over the years has come to be considered a standard of modern Cajun music.[8]The song was eventuallycoveredby more than 800 artists.

There were three albums released by the duo onHickory Records,only one being released before they split up. The first wasRusty and Doug Sing Louisiana Man(LPM 103) in 1961.Kershaw (Genus Cambarus)(LPS 163) was released in 1972 and was a double LP.Louisiana Man(HR 4506) was the final Hickory album, released in 1974. By 1964, the brothers had elected to go their separate ways. It took another three years before Kershaw signed a songwriters' contract with BMI, in 1967.

In June 1969, Kershaw made his first network television appearance on the debut of theJohnny Cash Show.[4]After watching Kershaw'sJohnny Cash Showperformance as an eight-year-old boy,Mark O'Connorbecame inspired to learn to play the fiddle.[9]He capped the year with a week-long engagement at the New York City'sFillmore Eastas opening act forEric Clapton'sDerek and the Dominos.While it seemed to many rock and pop fans that Kershaw had appeared out of nowhere, he had already sold more than 18 million copies of the records he had made in the early '60s with his brother, Rusty. "Louisiana Man" had been a Top 10 country hit in 1961 and its follow-up, "Diggy Liggy Lo", had done almost as well. His performance in front of a national audience led toWarner Bros. Recordssigning him to a long-term contract.[10]In July 1969, he performed at the Newport folk festival along with Joni Mitchell, Arlo Guthrie, Ramblin Jack Elliott, Big Mama Thornton, and Mimi Fariña, among others. Newcomers that year were Don McLean, James Taylor, and Jerry Jeff Walker. In November 1969, "Louisiana Man" was broadcast back to Earth by the crew of theApollo 12Moon mission.[11]Beyond the southern venues, Kershaw became widely known in mainstream America as he played at major urban concert halls.

In 1970, Kershaw contributed a violin part to Arlo Guthrie'srecord single"Alice's Rock and Roll Restaurant."[12]

In 1971, Kershaw had an acting and musical cameo in theWestern filmZachariah,starringDon JohnsonandJohn Rubinstein.[13]

Kershaw's playing was featured in theRichard Brooks1971 filmDollars.

In 1972, Kershaw played electric fiddle in Grand Funk's "Flight of the Phoenix" off their LPPhoenix.Capitol SMAS 11099[14]

Later life[edit]

Despite the success of his solo career, Kershaw was plagued by depression andsorrow.His father had committed suicide when he was only seven.[15]Marrying his wife, Pam, at theHouston Astrodomeon June 21, 1975, Kershaw began raising his own family that included five sons – Douglas, Victor, Zachary, Tyler, and Elijah; and two grandsons and a granddaughter. His son Tyler plays drums in his band, and manages his shows as well.[16]

In 1978, Kershaw appeared briefly as a fiddler in the filmDays of Heaven.[17]

Kershaw rebounded with his biggest selling hit, "Hello Woman", which reached the country music Top 40. By 1984, Kershaw's battle withdrugandalcohol abusecame to a close and his previously erratic behavior changed for the better.[3]

In 1988, he recorded a duet, "Cajun Baby", withHank Williams, Jr.,[4]that became a Top 50 country hit. Kershaw released a French-language album,Two Step Fever,in 1999, and Michael Doucet of Beausoleil is featured on the duet "Fievre De Deux Etapes".Hot Diggity Dougwas released in mid-2000 andStill Cajun After All These Yearsfollowed in early 2001. His brother Rusty died on October 23, 2001.[18]

Kershaw formerly owned and operated The Bayou House, a restaurant in Lucerne, Colorado, but parted ways with his partners in 2007 due to his displeasure with management and ambiance.[19]

In 2009, Doug was inducted into TheLouisiana Music Hall of Fame.[20]

Doug's third cousin is country music starSammy Kershaw.[21]

Discography[edit]

Albums[edit]

Year Album Chart Positions Label
US Country AUS[22] CAN
1969 The Cajun Way — — — Warner Bros.
1970 Spanish Moss — — 86
1971 Doug Kershaw — — —
1972 Swamp Grass — — —
Devil's Elbow[23] — — —
1973 Douglas James Kershaw — — —
1974 Mama Kershaw's Boy 14 — —
1975 Alive & Pickin' 32 95 —
1976 Ragin' Cajun 44 — —
1977 Flip, Flop & Fly 47 — —
1978 The Louisiana Man — — —
1979 Louisiana Cajun Country — — — Starfire
1981 Instant Hero — — — Scotti Bros.
1989 Hot Diggidy Doug — — — BGM
The Best of Doug Kershaw — — — Warner Bros.

Singles[edit]

Year Single Chart Positions Album Label
US Country CAN Country
1967 "Ain't Gonna Get Me Down" — — single only K-Ark
1969 "You Fight Your Fight (I'll Fight Me)" — — The Cajun Way Warner Bros.
"Diggy Liggy Lo" 70 1
1970 "Orange Blossom Special" — 9 Spanish Moss
"Natural Man" — — Doug Kershaw
1971 "Mama Said Yeah" — —
"Play, Fiddle, Play" — —
1972 "My Sally Jo" — — Devil's Elbow
"Jamestown Ferry" — —
1974 "Mama's Got the Know How" 77 83 Mama Kershaw's Boy
"Nickel in My Pocket" — —
"All You Want to Do Is Make Kids" — — single only
"Louisiana Sun"[1] — — Pacemaker
1976 "It Takes All Day to Get Over Night" 76 — Ragin' Cajun Warner Bros.
"House Husband" — —
1977 "I'm Walkin'" 96 — Flip, Flop & Fly
"You Won't Let Me" — —
1978 "Marie" — — The Louisiana Man
1981 "Hello Woman" 29 — Instant Hero Scotti Bros.
"Instant Hero" — —
1982 "Keep Between the Ditches" — — The Dukes Of Hazzard (Various Artists)
1985 "My Toot-Toot"[2](withFats Domino) — — Hot Diggidy Doug Toot Toot Recordz
1988 "Cajun Baby"(withHank Williams, Jr.) 52 — BGM
1989 "Boogie Queen" 66 —

Notes[edit]

1.^This recording of "Louisiana Sun" dates from the 1960s, and likely features an uncreditedRusty Kershaw.
2.^Promo copies exist with a re-recording of the song as "Don't Mess With My Popeye's", done specially for the fast food chain.

References[edit]

  1. ^abcSimmons, Michael (March 1, 2003)."Doug Kershaw: The" Real Deal "in Cajun Fiddle".Fiddle.com.RetrievedAugust 11,2014.
  2. ^abcMcCall, Michael; Paxman, Bob (2012).The Encyclopedia of Country Music.Oxford University Press. p. 263.ISBN978-0195395631.
  3. ^abc"Doug Kershaw Bio".Cmt.com. Archived fromthe originalon May 29, 2011.RetrievedOctober 17,2015.
  4. ^abcdeAswell, Tom (2013).Louisiana Rocks!: The True Genesis of Rock and Roll.Pelican Publishing.ISBN9781455607839.RetrievedAugust 21,2017.
  5. ^Stambler, Irwin (2000).Country Music: The Encyclopedia(3rd ed.). St. Martin's Griffin. p. 233.ISBN978-0312264871.
  6. ^Dregni, Michael (2011).Rockabilly: The Twang Heard 'Round the World: The Illustrated History.Voyageur Press.ISBN9780760340622.RetrievedAugust 21,2017.
  7. ^"Opry Timeline – 1950s".Opry.com. Archived fromthe originalon March 30, 2019.RetrievedJuly 10,2012.
  8. ^Woodstra, Chris (1997).All Music Guide to Country: The Experts' Guide to the Best Country Recordings(1st ed.). Backbeat Books. p. 255.ISBN978-0879304751.
  9. ^Himes, Geoffrey."Mark O'Connor's Art: Fiddling With The Best".washingtonpost.com.RetrievedMay 5,2022.
  10. ^"Richard De La Font Agency, Inc: Doug Kershaw".Delafont.com. Archived fromthe originalon July 9, 2011.RetrievedAugust 11,2014.
  11. ^"Born on the Bayou: Exploring Louisiana in 18 Songs".Rolling Stone. June 11, 2012.RetrievedAugust 21,2017.
  12. ^"Arlo Guthrie - Alice's Rock And Roll Restaurant / Ring-Around-A-Rosy Rag (Vinyl)".Discogs.RetrievedOctober 17,2015.
  13. ^Greenspun, Roger(January 25, 1971)."Zachariah (1970) Screen: 'Zachariah,' an Odd Western".The New York Times.
  14. ^"Grand Funk* - Phoenix (Vinyl, LP, Album)".Discogs.RetrievedOctober 17,2015.
  15. ^Tucker, Tanya (May 11, 2010).100 Ways to Beat the Blues: An Uplifting Book for Anyone Who's Down.Simon and Schuster.ISBN978-1-4391-0602-0.RetrievedAugust 21,2017.
  16. ^"Doug Kershaw and Steve Riley".French Quarter. Archived fromthe originalon August 22, 2017.RetrievedAugust 21,2017.
  17. ^"Days of Heaven – Full Cast & Crew".TV Guide.RetrievedSeptember 14,2022.
  18. ^Morris, Edward (October 23, 2001)."CMT: Rusty Kershaw, of Rusty & Doug, Dead at 63".Cmt.com. Archived fromthe originalon November 17, 2012.RetrievedAugust 11,2014.
  19. ^Haas, Kyle (May 28, 2008)."Bayou House closes its doors".Greeley Tribune.RetrievedJanuary 27,2010.
  20. ^"D.L. Mendard to be Inducted Into LA Musical Hall of Fame".Vermilion Today. October 7, 2009.RetrievedAugust 21,2017.
  21. ^The Encyclopedia of Country Music.Oxford University Press. February 2012.ISBN978-0-19-992083-9.RetrievedAugust 21,2017.
  22. ^Kent, David(1993).Australian Chart Book 1970–1992(illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 165.ISBN0-646-11917-6.
  23. ^Phil Hardy, Dave Laing Da Capo companion to twentieth-century popular music 1995– Page 510 "Doug Kershaw's demonic instrumental style, however, made him much in demand for recording sessions.... Swamp Grass (1972) had a heavy-rock emphasis while Devil's Elbow swung towards psychedelic music and Douglas James Kershaw..."

Relevant reading[edit]

  • Kershaw, Doug with Cathie Pelletier. 2019.The Ragin' Cajun: Memoir of a Louisiana Man.Macon, GA: Mercer University Press.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Doug_Kershaw&oldid=1232394695"