REVIEWS
Doug Kershaw with Cathie Pelletier
The Ragin’ Cajun – Memoir of a Louisiana Man Mercer University Press
Doug Kershaw, a 62-year member of Local 257, reflects on his life in a compelling autobiography that paints a vivid picture of the unique culture of rural Louisiana and the Cajun music that he came to personify. Co-written with Cathie Pelletier and told in Kershaw’s own words, The Ragin’ Cajun takes the reader on a long and winding path from rivers, swamps, and small towns onto the biggest stages in the world. Through many ups and downs, Kershaw, the living personification of his autobiographical signature song, “Louisiana Man,” managed to survive numerous brushes with disaster and found redemption at last. This book is not for the squeamish or easily offended, but the frankness of his narrative is refreshing and reveals the many layers behind his high energy persona.
The hardships and challenges that Kershaw endured before the age of 10 would be insurmountable for most people, but somehow he made it through it all and brought the fiddle and accordion music of southwest Louisiana to the world. It’s not easy to imagine a family living on a homemade houseboat on the river with their survival depending on their trapping and fishing skills, not to mention never having shoes until your eighth birthday! Just as incredible is that speaking his native French language was deemed illegal in the state of Louisiana at that time, and he had to learn English as a second language out of necessity. Kershaw’s uncle noticed his fascination with the fiddle, and built the toddler a homemade one from a cigar box, gator bone, wood, and wire, and he quickly graduated to the real thing by the age of five. His tempestuous father, Daddy Jack, committed suicide when Doug was seven, and his mother did whatever she had to do to take care of her children. Doug shined shoes and played fiddle for tips, and brought the money home to his mother. He and his brothers played music together in various groups, and worked their way into the music business, eventually as the duo Rusty & Doug, and performing on the Grand Ole Opry and beyond. Kershaw’s behind the scenes Nashville stories of the ‘50s and ‘60s are fascinating and give a unique glimpse into the seamy side of Music City. Publishers, agents, and musical partners all found ways to get a piece of Kershaw’s revenue stream that they did not deserve, and he learned many lessons about what NOT to do to succeed in the business. Despite it all, he was a consummate entertainer who carved out an individual persona and repertoire like no other. This led to every imaginable kind of gig, including appearances on The Johnny Cash Show, having a song beamed back from Apollo 12, playing the Super Bowl halftime show, and getting married onstage at the Astrodome! The saga of Kershaw’s personal life is even more convoluted than his musical journey, and he is unflinchingly honest about his own mistakes, as well as the actions of those who took advantage of him. His longtime alcohol and drug abuse wasted a small fortune, nearly killed him, and almost cost him his marriage to the love of his life, Pam. Her nearly infinite patience with his behavior and final ultimatum saved his life and gave him the chance to redeem himself. He finally became the father and man he had been unable to be before, which has brought him peace and resolution. This is a well written memoir of a complex man whose life and music has gone full circle from the swamps of Louisiana to the mountains of Colorado, and the moon and back. – Dave Pomeroy 26 THE NASHVILLE MUSICIAN
