D. L. Menard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
D. L. Menard
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Menard at the 2008 Black Pot Festival
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Doris Leon Menard |
| Born | April 14, 1932 Erath, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | July 27, 2017 (aged 85) Scott, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Genres | Cajun |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Labels | Swallow, Rounder, Arhoolie |
| Associated acts | Louisiana Aces, Le Trio Cadien |
Doris Leon Menard (born April 14, 1932 – died July 27, 2017) was an American musician. He was a talented songwriter, performer, and recording artist. He became famous for his Cajun music. Many people called him the "Cajun Hank Williams" because of his similar style.
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About D. L. Menard
D. L. Menard was born in Erath, Louisiana. He grew up in a Cajun farming family. When he was 16, he started playing the guitar. By age 17, he was already performing at dances in clubs across Louisiana.
A big influence on Menard was the famous singer Hank Williams. Menard even met Williams in 1951. Throughout his life, Menard performed in over 30 countries. He helped share Cajun culture with people all over the world. He also recorded music with artists who were not Cajun, like Bryan Ferry.
Menard and his wife, Louella, had seven children. They also had many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Besides music, Menard was a skilled craftsman. He was known for making chairs by hand from ash wood. He passed away in Scott, Louisiana, at 85 years old.
His Unique Music Style
D. L. Menard was known for his special "tinny" voice. He also had a very popular way of strumming the guitar. A music expert named Ann Savoy described two main styles of Cajun guitar playing. One was the "Old Time Style," and the other was the "D. L. Menard Style."
Menard's style included using bass notes when chords changed. He also used both up-strokes and down-strokes with his guitar pick. He learned some of his strumming techniques from musician David Bromberg.
His Most Famous Song: "The Back Door"
Menard is most famous for his song "La Porte En Arrière." This means "The Back Door" in English. He wrote and often performed this song.
A Cajun history expert, Barry Jean Ancelet, said it's the most played Cajun song ever. It sold over 500,000 copies in 1962 alone. Many Cajun and zydeco bands have covered it. Other French-speaking artists, like Kate & Anna McGarrigle, have also sung it.
Menard said he got the idea for the song from Hank Williams's "Honky Tonk Blues." He wrote "The Back Door" very quickly. He said it took him less than an hour while he was working at a gas station.
Awards and Recognition
D. L. Menard received many important awards for his music.
- In 1993, his album Le Trio Cadien was nominated for a Grammy Award. This is a very famous music award.
- In 1994, he received a National Heritage Fellowship. This is the highest honor in folk and traditional arts in the United States. The government gives this award.
- In 2009, he was added to the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. Other famous musicians like Jo-El Sonnier and Doug Kershaw were also inducted that year.
- In 2010, his album Happy Go Lucky was nominated for another Grammy Award.
Images for kids
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Menard at the 2008 Black Pot Festival
See also
- History of Cajun music
- List of people related to Cajun music
