It's this intriguing combination of thoroughly danceable music matched with heart-wrenching vocals that have made D.L. Menard the godfather of Cajun music and a beloved figure of Louisiana music.

Born in Erath, Louisiana in 1932, the young Menard was talented as both a guitarist and a songwriter A natural entertainer, he got bitten by the performance bug when he was 17, when he took the stage to sing in English and French.

However, his music made a dramatic change after getting some advice most of us could only dream of... a legend no less than Hank Williams told the young Menard that he should be proud of his heritage and sing in his own language, Cajun French. Needless to say, Menard took this advice to heart, writing his signature song "La Porte d'en Arrière" ("The Back Door"). This piece typifies Menard's approach of writing about the day to day events in an ordinary Cajun life, sung in his beautiful French voice.

It's hard to describe Menard's music to someone who's never heard it. You could always listen to some of his music, but the best way to get acquainted with Menard is to see him in concert. Menard's a great bandleader and just an all-around entertainer, as the lucky fans who got to see his packed 1998 JazzFest show can attest to. Between rousing versions of his great songs, he supplies wonderful one-liners and thoughtful reflections on life.

But that's not the only way Menard keeps Louisiana arts alive. He also runs a successful furniture factory back in Erath, where he makes hand-crafted chairs and plays music on the weekend to a crowd of neighbors and lucky visitors.

A true Louisiana legend, D.L. Menard is not just a talented musician but one of the unique voices to sing about the Cajun experience.

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D. L. Menard appears courtesy of Swallow Records and Flat Town Music Publishing Company.