Al Berard
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Al Berard, born 1960 in Cecilia, Louisiana, is a Cajun musician, recording artist, and composer in addition to being considered a world-renowned cajun fiddler.
Berard, influenced by the Cajun songs heard as a young child growing up in South Louisiana, began playing guitar at age eleven. As a student at Cecilia High School, his musical talents allowed him to become an active member of the school’s marching and concert bands in addition to performing as lead guitarist in a local rock band of whom he founded. After graduation, Berard founded The Basin Brothers Band, performing a repertoire of country, traditional and original Cajun French music at festivals, clubs, and workshops throughout the United States and in Europe. The Basin Brothers continuously perform and strive to promote and preserve Cajun culture and music.
Berard currently owns a recording studio in addition to a music publishing company - OPLAMAE Music/BMI. His work includes composition, production, recording and editing for television and film in addition to his continued involvement with The Basin Brothers.
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[edit] Abridged discography
- The Basin Brothers Band; "Let's Get Cajun"
- The Basin Brothers Band; "Stayin Cajun"
- The Basin Brothers Band; "Mulate's Presents: The Basin Brothers"
- The Basin Brothers Band; "Dans La Louisiane"
- The Basin Brothers Band; "Deux Violons"
- The Basin Brothers Band; "Fait a la Main"
- Al Berard and Errol Verret; :"C'est Dans La Sang Cadjin"
- Al Berard; "Al Berard and Friends"
- Al Berard and Karen England; "Feet Off The Ground"
CREDITS/PROJECTS Grammy Nomination for Best Traditional Folk Music Recording, 1991 Produced the album titled Lets Get Cajun by the The Basin Brothers Band-- Recorded the album in a garage studio....with band mates, Danny Collet, Dwayne Brasseaux, Keith Blanchard and Barry Herbert. Public Broadcasting System and West Virginia State Park, 1995 Composed and recorded segments of original music and voice-overs for documentaries. HBO Series--Sopranos, Television Series--Northern Exposure, Movie--Double Jeopardy, 1990s Several original songs were used as background cues (BG-CUES) in the above-mentioned series and movie. Al Berard Teaches...Cajun Fiddle Basics DVD, 2002 Produced by Tommy Gath and Susi Mills, recorded this 50 minute teaching DVD of interactive instruction organized for replay of sections for beginner fiddle players--lead fiddle and seconding. Jingles for local radio and television commercials, 1990s Composed, produced and recorded jingles for Budweiser, Whitney Bank, Evangeline Motors, Randols Restaurant, Cajun Heartland State Fair, and Now Its Cajun Seasoning Company--Lafayette, Louisiana area. Producer for Various Recording Albums/Artists Produced and Co-procuced albums for The Basin Brothers Band--Lets Get Cajun, Stayin Cajun, Mulates Presents The Basin Brothers, Dans La Louisiane, Deux Violons (Two Violins), and Fait a la Main (Hand Made). Produced two personal albums--Cest Dans La Sang Cadjin (In the Cajun Blood)--Al Berard and Errol Verret and Al Berard and Friends--Al Berard. Produced, recorded and edited the album Chante Ti Garcon--Pope Huval. Co-produced, recorded, and edited the album--Creole Jam--T-Mamou Band. Co-produced the album--Feet Off The Ground--Al Berard and Karen England. Recorded the album--Scrapbook--Martin Swinger. Recorded the album--Hey Mom--Camey Doucet. Recorded albums for local and French artists--Alain Gatay with Trans Bayou Express Band--France and the late John Dubois. Produced and recorded demo sessions for various artists. Recorded for Rounder Records, Flying Fish Records, Swing Cat Records, Polydor Records--Germany, Beams Records--Japan, Swallow Records, Acadiana Records and Old Man Records Recorded for the above-mentioned record companies.
[edit] Awards
- Grammy Nominated Finalist; Best Traditional Folk Music" for "Let's Get Cajun", The Basin Brothers Band, 1991
- The Times Music Award; "Best Country/Swamp Pop Guitarist", 1989
- The Times Music Award; "Best Country Guitarist", 1990
- Cajun French Music Association; "Best Fiddle Recording" for "The Grand Anse Fiddle Song", 1992
- Cajun French Music Association; "Fiddler Of The Year" Nomination, 2003
- Cajun French Music Association; "Best Recording" Nomination for "Deaux Violons", The Basin Brothers Band, 2003
- Cajun French Music Association; "Award of Excellence", 2004
- Cajun French Music Association; "Fiddler Of The Year" , 2007
- Cajun French Music Association; "People Choice Award" Al Berard & Jason Frey, 2006-2007
[edit] Professional affiliations
- BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.)
- ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers)
- CFMA (Cajun French Music Association)
