The state of Louisiana has always been a special place to live, and that’s evident in the music, too. You can find music sung by famous artists from the state, like Hank Williams Jr. and Randy Newman. You can also find the work of more modern musicians such as Mel McDaniel and Doug Kershaw.
Randy Newman
Randy Newman is a country singer who grew up in Louisiana. He sings about his home state in “Faust,” a song that was written after the great flood of 1974. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the same area, and the song became an unofficial anthem of the Deep South. The song was also performed on a television fundraiser for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Although Randy Newman was not born in Louisiana, his mother moved the family to New Orleans when he was young. He holds New Orleans dear to his heart, saying in an interview from 1988 that it is his favorite place in the U.S. While he has been influenced by Arthur Alexander and Bob Dylan, he owes more to the culture of the Crescent City. This influence has helped him develop his unique style.
The song has become one of Newman’s most popular recordings. It has become associated with Hurricane Katrina, as it was featured on the Katrina benefit album “Our New Orleans.” The song was written about slavery in Louisiana and featured a passionate vocal, backed by a lush string line.
Hank Williams Jr.
Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, Hank Williams Jr. grew up surrounded by the sights and sounds of his native state. His father was a railroad engineer and had suffered from shell shock during World War I. He spent a number of years in hospitals recovering from his injuries.
The singer’s father’s influence has permeated his music. His songs have become staples of country music. His son, Hank Williams III, continues the musical line. His 1979 single “Family Tradition” peaked at No. 4 on the charts and is one of the best-known country songs.
After his father’s death, his mother raised the family alone. He was eight years old when he first squealed for a guitar. At age eight, Hank made his first music appearance in a show in Swainsboro, Georgia, performing his father’s songs to wild applause. At nine, Hank began touring with his mother’s Caravan of Stars.
His father’s music was influenced by Cajun music. He wrote his first song when he was a child. He and his brother wrote the melody together. Their father also wrote Hank Williams Jr.’s first song, “Lafayette.” In fact, Hank Williams Jr. began writing songs when he was eight years old. His father is considered to be one of the best songwriters in country music, and the son has carried on the tradition.
Mel McDaniel
If you are looking for a Louisiana singer, you have come to the right place. Mel McDaniel is a native of the state and has devoted his life to the craft. He is known for his high-energy shows. During his performances, he displays the United States flag to inspire the audience to stand up and support the country. Mel McDaniel sings songs about Louisiana with great passion and authenticity.
His style is reminiscent of Jerry Lee Lewis, with an obvious Jerry Lee Lewis influence. His 1980 album I’m Countryfied features the country-tinged track “Louisiana Saturday Night.” The song made the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and became the theme song of a popular New Orleans radio show called “The Outdoorsman Show.”
The songs are full of Louisiana nostalgia. Many artists have covered them. The Carpenters covered one in 1973 on Now and Then. In 2016, Tim McGraw covered the song and used it to speak about the sentimentality of his hometown. The song is sure to touch many Louisiana listeners.
Doug Kershaw
Doug Kershaw is a multi-instrumentalist from Tiel Ridge, Louisiana. His mother speaks French at home, and he began playing guitar when he was eight years old. He later played in the Cajun music duo Rusty and Doug, which blended Cajun music with country and rockabilly. Together, they cranked out singles throughout the 1950s and ’60s, including “Louisiana Man,” which was a hit for him.
Doug Kershaw’s story is a sad one. He spent most of his life on a houseboat, where he grew up without much money. Eventually, he discovered that he could earn a decent income playing fiddle tunes and could support himself and his family by making a living from his music. His father did his best to provide for his family, but there were a few times when he wanted to commit suicide. In one instance, he threw a metal pipe across the boat and hit his wife with it.
The Ragin Cajun, as he is also known, has been making music for decades. He is a country Cajun singer with a signature song called “Louisiana Man.” The song is a true story about his childhood in Louisiana.
Mary Chapin Carpenter
If you’re a lover of Cajun music, you’ll love the songs that Mary Chapin Carpenter sings about Louisiana. Her music is filled with references to the city’s Cajun culture and the local cuisine. Her songs also reference the Gulf Storms and hurricanes, but she keeps them upbeat and easy to dance to.
Throughout her career, Carpenter has drawn influences from many different genres, including country and rock. While her most well-known works have been categorized as country, there is much more to her music than country. In fact, her first two albums were both country and rock, although she never considered herself to belong to one particular genre.
One of her most famous songs, “Jambalaya,” is an ode to Louisiana’s food and culture. This song features jambalaya, crawfish pie, and gumbo, which are all common Louisiana fare. It also mentions a famous cajun musician named Fats Domino.
The album, “Come On Come On,” was released in 1992 and spawned seven Billboard singles. “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her” is the album’s biggest hit, reaching No. 11 on the charts. It was also nominated for a Grammy for Best Country Song.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
A few Creedence Clearwater Revival tunes feature the sultry swamps of Louisiana. “New Orleans” is a classic song written by the band and inspired by a riverboat ride to the Crescent City. It’s about a man who has been traveling the country, and then returns to his hometown in New Orleans to relive his youth. The song’s story is told through a series of odd jobs that he has held along the way.
The band’s sound is a unique blend of styles. Their music is often described as swamp rock, and the lead singer’s Southern drawl lends the songs a unique character. In the song “Born on the Bayou,” the lead singer explicitly refers to his Louisiana roots, even though he was raised in California.
The group’s career as a whole was a mixed bag, with Fogerty and other members of the band splitting up. Fogerty saw the split as an opportunity to start over and create a new direction. However, the band didn’t get along, and John Fogerty felt betrayed by his fellow members.
Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “Down at the Twist and Shout”
“Down at the Twist and the Shout” is a song that was released in 1991 as the third single from Carpenter’s Shooting Straight in the Dark album. It peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, winning Carpenter a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance. Carpenter’s video for the song has been viewed over 8.7 million times since its release in 1991.
Carpenter’s song is a favorite of New Orleans. She performed it in the city prior to the Super Bowl XXXI in 1997. It’s a fun song for those who miss Mardi Gras and want to experience the spirit of New Orleans. In it, she sings about wandering down to the Big Easy and never looking back. Whether you love Mardi Gras or just wish you were at the Mardi Gras, “Down at the Twist and the Shout” is a great tune for Tuesday.