Doug Kershaw

Born Douglas James Kershaw on January 24, 1936, in Tiel Ridge, Louisiana, Kershaw grew up in a Cajun household, speaking French until the age of eight. He showed early musical talent, teaching himself to play the fiddle at five, and eventually mastering 28 instruments. His initial public performances took place at a local bar, the Bucket of Blood, often accompanied by his mother on guitar. In 1948, he formed the Continental Playboys with his brothers Rusty and Peewee. Following Peewee’s departure, Doug and Rusty continued as a duo, “Rusty and Doug,” blending Cajun and country music styles.

In 1955, Rusty and Doug released their first single, “So Lovely, Baby,” which reached number 14 on Billboard’s country charts. This success led to appearances on the Louisiana Hayride syndicated radio show and an invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry in 1958. During a three-year enlistment in the United States Army, Doug composed “Louisiana Man,” which became their breakthrough hit in 1961, reaching number ten on the Billboard country chart and later becoming a widely covered American roots music standard. Their other notable single, “Diggy Liggy Lo,” followed. The duo released their debut album, “Sing Louisiana Man and Other Favorites,” in 1961, before parting ways in 1964.

Doug Kershaw launched his solo career with a songwriting contract with BMI in 1967 and a record deal with Warner Bros. His 1969 solo debut, “The Cajun Way,” marked the beginning of a prolific period. He made a significant network-television appearance on “The Johnny Cash Show” in June 1969, and in July of the same year, he performed at the Newport Folk Festival alongside notable artists. Later in November 1969, his song “Louisiana Man” was famously broadcast back to Earth by the Apollo 12 Moon mission crew. Kershaw released 11 albums with Warner Bros. throughout the 1970s, with “Mama Kershaw’s Boy” (1974) being his highest-charting album, peaking at number 14 on the Billboard country chart. His single “Hello Woman” became his biggest solo hit, reaching number 29 in 1981. In 2009, Doug Kershaw was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, recognizing his enduring impact on music.