 Doug Kershaw, known as the Ragin Cajun, is considered by most to be the king
of the fiddle players. Since his early days on a Louisiana bayou, he
still takes a fiddle beyond what most
what most people think possible.
Doug Kershaw, with the energy of a nuclear
bomb, plays so incredibly fast that
clouds of rosin soar from his horse hair
bow, giving the impression
that it is smoking!
Often, he will wear out two or three
bows per song - playing, dancing and
singing at the same time. Mastering
over 20 instruments, many of Doug Kershaw's
peers, including the great Jimmy C.
Newman, consider him as the best
musician, singer, songwriter and
performer to ever come out of
southwest Louisiana.
Doug Kershaw, who is a key player in the
promotion and revival of the formerly
disappearing Cajun Culture, was born
in Tiel Ridge, Cameron Parish,
Louisiana, an island just off the Gulf of
Mexico on January 24, 1936 to Rita
and Jack Kershaw (...they call my
mama Rita and my daddy Jack...) Doug Kershaw is the second of four sons (Ed,
Doug, Nelson (Pee Wee) and Russell
Rusty).
This is the heart of Cajun country,
where French, not English is the native
tongue. Doug Kershaw has taken his
heritage worldwide with his infectious,
foot-stomping sound, making Cajun
music as popular as many other forms
of music. In the 1960's, Doug Kershaw made his first network television appearance on the
premier, "Johnny Cash Show." This performance turned millions of people on to his talents, among them,
Warner Brothers Records, with whom he signed a long-term recording contract.
Doug Kershaw's many recordings
have been steady sellers, not only with country audiences, but spanning all categories.
Songs such as "Diggy Diggy Lo," "Cajun Joe," and "Rita Put Your Black Shoes
On," are familiar tunes to Doug Kershaw fans, but none of his works reached the fame of his 1961 autobiographical recording of one of the many songs he wrote, "Louisiana Man," which forever immortalized his
family and sold millions of copies over the years. In 1969, "Louisiana Man" was the first song ever
broadcast back to earth from the moon by the Apollo 12 Mission.
In spite of his successful and colorful career, Doug Kershaw takes his Cajun
heritage seriously. Often, he sings in French, lyrics and melodies learned during his childhood.
Doug Kershaw loves to
perform and makes his concerts fun and enjoyable for his audience. He has no plans to retire.
Doug Kershaw is very
personable and remembers his fans, often making himself available after a performance to talk to them.
With all his life feats, no one knows what other monumental achievements he
will master in his lifetime. Doug Kershaw is truly a master performer, musician, songwriter and a legend.
On the personal side, Doug and Pam Kershaw were married on June 21, 1975 at
the Astro Dome. They were married before the game and Doug gave a concert after the game! Doug has 5
sons (Douglas, Victor, Zachary, Tyler and Eli (Elijah) and two grandsons. (His son Tyler is often the drummer
in the band). All his sons are musically talented like their father.
Doug is presently writing his autobiography. He continues to recording new
albums. He finally recorded one in French - "Two Step Fever" - (and includes a duet with Michael Doucet). He
also has a live album, which was recorded live at Lake of the Torches Casino in Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin
on November 11, 2000.
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