Ragin' Cajun Doug Kershaw to Appear at Cajun Festival, July 4 in Grove

Summer Music Festival season is on for three big music festivals in Grove on Grand Lake, Oklahoma, with all social distancing guidelines in place.

June 11, 12, 13 kicks off the season with the American Heritage Music Festival as a part of the Grove Chamber’s “Toes in the Grand,” a spectacular start to the season with great headliners, judges, and talented contestants for the National Fiddle Contest June 12.  Held at Wolf Creek Park in Grove. 

July 4 the nation celebrates its cultural diversity with the Arts, Crafts, Music & Cajun Festival featuring the Ragin’ Cajun himself, Doug Kershaw and Louisiana Cajun band Chris Miller & Bayou Roots, vendors galore, and a Mardi Gras style party!  Held at Grove Civic Center or Wolf Creek Park.

September 4, 5, and 6, Labor Day Weekend hosts the Jana Jae Fiddle Camp & Music Fest with fun sharing of music with 20 notable coaches and performers on stage.  Grove Civic Center.

The notable “Cajun Festival” Fourth of July is a real party filled with arts and crafts vendors, authentic Cajun food, Cajun music, and Cajun fun.  The stage will be rockin’ wild on Fourth of July with the Ragin’ Cajun himself, Grammy winner Doug Kershaw coming to Grove!  Louisiana’s hot Cajun Band, Chris Miller and Bayou Roots, returns by popular demand and will back Kershaw for two shows at 12:30 and 2:30, with several appearances through the day by popular crooner Clint Walker, and surprise guests on Saturday, July 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Enjoy the “hottest” Cajun music and the best Cajun food this side of Louisiana!!

Kershaw’s fervor for Cajun culture and entertaining with this rhythmic music has garnered him a decades-long career, honors, awards, and attention of the most popular artists of the day.  As a lauded singer/fiddler/songwriter, Doug Kershaw took Cajun music to the world with his hits including Louisiana Man, Diggy Diggy Lo, and Cajun Baby.  For his music and his ambassadorship of Cajun culture, Doug was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2009.  He was inducted into the National Fiddler Hall of Fame in 2016.

Kershaw is a unique and interesting character, born in a small community called Tiel Ridge in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, he did not learn English until the age of eight. By that time, he had mastered the fiddle, which he played from the age of five, and was on his way to teaching himself to play 28 instruments.  He grew up surrounded by Cajun fiddle and accordion music, and became interested in Cajun music during parties his parents would host on the family’s houseboat in Louisiana, where he first heard Cajun bands playing.  He began his career with his brother Rusty as the duo, Rusty and Doug, originally singing in French.  Then with an early hit in English “So Lovely Baby”, they appeared on the Louisiana Hayride, the Wheeling West Virginia Jamboree, and became regular members of the Grand Ole Opry.  Kershaw has had an extensive solo career that includes fifteen albums and singles that charted on the Hot Country Songs charts. 

Chris Miller and Bayou Roots, invited back by popular demand, honor the roots of Cajun music’s tradition by extending the reach of new and creative musical branches.  This group is fun and they are good!  Led by Chris Miller on vocals, accordion, fiddle, keys, and harmonica, they provide a musical adventure that can take some very exciting and surprising turns.  Dancers will gather on the dance floor to dance to the vibrant beat of the Cajun music. Clint Walker, vocalist, musician and songwriter will change the pace when he hits the stage with his own vocal style, hits, and original tunes.

Enjoy the entertainment while shopping with the Arts and Crafts Vendors and enjoying delicious Cajun food served at noon which will include some of your Cajun favorites.

The public is invited to enjoy this event brought to the Grand Lake area by Grand Lake Festivals, Inc. and Jana Jae, founder of Grand Lake Festivals with the assistance of Cherokee Nation Businesses, Oklahoma Arts Council, National Endowment of the Arts, Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, Oklahoma Film and Music and local and area sponsors including the City of Grove. 

This will be a family experience—delicious food, wonderful entertainment and a great opportunity to shop with the talented artists and crafters selling their work at the various booths.  Bring the family and enjoy the whole day on July 4 for $5 admission for adults, children under 12 years of age free.  Call 918-786-8896 or visit grandlakefestivals.com for additional information.