Sammy Kershaw and Doug Kershaw are two of the most famous names in Cajun music, a genre that blends French, African, Native American, and Spanish influences in Louisiana. Both of them have achieved success as singers, songwriters, and musicians, with dozens of hit songs and albums to their credit. But are they really related? And if so, how closely?
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The Kershaw family tree
The answer is yes, Sammy Kershaw and Doug Kershaw are related, but not very closely. They are third cousins, meaning that they share a pair of great-great-grandparents. According to Wikipedia, Sammy Kershaw was born in 1958 in Kaplan, Louisiana, a town in the Acadiana region of the state. He is the son of Minos Cashat and Emily Duhon Kershaw. His paternal grandfather was Paul Kershaw, who gave him his first guitar when he was 11 years old.
Doug Kershaw was born in 1936 in Tiel Ridge, an unincorporated community in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. He is the son of Rita Mae Duhon and Jack Kershaw. His maternal grandfather was James Duhon, who was also the grandfather of Sammy’s mother Emily. This makes Doug and Emily first cousins, and Doug and Sammy third cousins.
The musical legacy of the Kershaws
Both Sammy and Doug grew up surrounded by Cajun music and culture. They learned to speak French before English, and to play the fiddle at a young age. They also faced hardships and tragedies in their lives, such as losing their fathers when they were young, and struggling with drug and alcohol problems.
Sammy started his musical career by performing in local bars and clubs with Louisiana legend J.B. Pere. He later opened shows for Ray Price, Merle Haggard, and George Jones, his lifelong idol. He signed with Mercury Records in 1991 and released his debut album Don’t Go Near the Water, which went platinum and spawned four hit singles. He followed it with several more successful albums and singles, such as “She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful”, “Queen of My Double-Wide Trailer”, “Third Rate Romance”, and “Love of My Life”. He also collaborated with other artists, such as Lorrie Morgan (whom he married and divorced), Aaron Tippin, Joe Diffie, George Jones, and Terri Clark.
Doug started his musical career by forming a band with his brothers Rusty and Peewee called the Continental Playboys. After Peewee left the group, Doug and Rusty continued as a duo and recorded their first single “So Lovely, Baby” in 1955, which reached number 14 on the country charts. They became regular members of the Louisiana Hayride and the Grand Ole Opry, and had their biggest hit with “Louisiana Man” in 1961. After Rusty retired from music in 1964, Doug pursued a solo career that included fifteen albums and several charting singles, such as “Diggy Diggy Lo”, “Cajun Baby”, “Hello Woman”, and “Another Lonely Night”. He also collaborated with other artists, such as Bob Dylan (whom he played fiddle for on Desire), Willie Nelson (whom he recorded an album with called Pancho & Lefty), Emmylou Harris (whom he toured with), Hank Williams Jr., Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Neil Young, John Fogerty, and Dwight Yoakam.
The connection between Sammy and Doug
Despite being third cousins, Sammy and Doug did not know each other very well until later in their careers. They met for the first time when Sammy was 14 years old and Doug was playing at a club in Lafayette. Sammy asked Doug for his autograph and told him that they were related. Doug did not believe him at first, but later confirmed it with his mother.
They met again in 1993 when they were both invited to perform at a tribute concert for George Jones at the Grand Ole Opry. They sang “He Stopped Loving Her Today” together and became friends. They also discovered that they had a lot in common besides music, such as their love for fishing and hunting.
In 1999, they recorded an album together called Two Step Fever: The Essential Cajun Collection. The album featured songs from both of their repertoires as well as some new ones written by them or other Cajun songwriters. The album received positive reviews from critics and fans alike.
Since then, Sammy and Doug have remained close friends and occasional collaborators. They have performed together at various events and festivals celebrating Cajun music and culture. They have also supported each other through personal and professional challenges, such as health issues, divorces, and lawsuits.
The conclusion
Sammy Kershaw and Doug Kershaw are two of the most influential and successful Cajun artists of all time. They are also third cousins who share a common ancestry and a passion for music. They have made their mark on the country music scene and beyond with their distinctive style and sound. They have also honored their heritage and inspired generations of fans and musicians with their songs and stories. They are truly the Cajun cousins of country music.
