• Known as the Ragin’ Cajun, Doug Kershaw is a unique entertainer whose name has become synonymous with the Cajun sound.
• The albums ‘Mama Kershaw’s Boy’ and ‘Alive & Pickin’’ appear for the first time on CD.
• These are his four Billboard chart albums from 1974 to 1977.
Douglas James Kershaw was born on January 24th 1936 in Tiel Ridge, a small community inland from the Gulf of Mexico and West of New Orleans. Kershaw spoke Louisiana French before learning English when he was 8 years old, also having mastered the fiddle, as taught by his mother Mama Rita.
‘Alive & Pickin’’ from 1975 was recorded live at the Great South East Music Hall in Atlanta, Georgia. Besides Kershaw originals such as ‘Louisiana Man’, the programme also features several classic Country titles, among them ‘Uncle Pen’, and ‘Battle of New Orleans’.
Doug Kershaw’s fortunes took a giant leap forward when he appeared in 1969 on Johnny Cash’s top-rated television show with Bob Dylan. More acclaim and attention came his way when he appeared at the Newport Folk Festival in 1969 alongside Joni Mitchell, Arlo Guthrie, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Don McLean and Jerry Jeff Walker. His bookings quickly led on to major concert venues and the year ended on a prestigious high with a long engagement at New York’s Filmore East, supporting Derek And The Dominoes (featuring Eric Clapton).
In 2009 he was inducted into the Louisiana Hall of Fame. Kershaw is still going strong at 88-years old.
