D.L. Menard

about

Doris Leon "D.L." Menard (April 14, 1932 - July 27, 2017) was a notable singer, guitarist, songwriter, performer, and recording artist in contemporary Cajun music. He was called the "Cajun Hank Williams." Menard was born in Erath, Louisiana, and was the only child of Ophy and Helena Primeaux Menard. He was part of a Cajun farming family. He took up the guitar at age 16 and started playing dances in Louisiana clubs at 17. He was strongly influenced by the late Hank Williams, who he met in 1951 at the Teche Club shortly before Williams's death. Since then Menard had performed in more than 30 countries and served as a good-will ambassador for Cajun culture. He had also recorded with non-Cajun artists, including Bryan Ferry. Menard, and his late wife Louella, had seven children, leading to 17 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. He passed away at age 85 on July 27th, 2017. He was still living in Erath upon his death; playing, performing, and recording. He had maintained a separate career as a craftsman, noted for his handmade ash-wood chairs. Menard was known for his "tinny" voice and popular guitar strumming style. Musician and historian Ann Savoy generalizes Cajun guitar strumming to two styles: Old Time Style (Cléoma Falcon) and D. L. Menard Style.[8] It uses bass runs on chord changes and incorporates up-strokes along with down-strokes. He modeled his strumming style after David Bromberg, who he met in 1973. Menard was best known for the song "La Porte En Arrière" ("

top songs

albums

No Matter Where You At, There You Are

The Back Door and Other Cajun Classics

Cajun Saturday Night

Cajun Memories

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The Mississippi River of Song: A Musical Journey Down the Mississippi

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Rough Guide To Cajun & Zydeco

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The Rough Guide To Cajun & Zydeco

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The Rough Guide To Cajun Dance

Happy Go Lucky

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J'ai Ete Au Bal - Vol. 2

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Alligator Stomp, Vol. 2

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J'ai Ete Au Bal - Vol. 2 (I Went To The Dance)

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