Albums

Michael Doucet

“The Fiddler Who Reignited Cajun Fire”

Quick Intro

Michael Doucet is a Grammy-winning Cajun fiddler, composer, and bandleader best known as the founder of Beausoleil, one of the most acclaimed Cajun bands in the world. His work has helped preserve and evolve Louisiana’s French musical traditions, blending fiddle, accordion, and French vocals with blues, jazz, zydeco, and country influences. Doucet’s recordings for Swallow Records and other labels have become cornerstones of Cajun music’s modern revival.

In-Depth Profile

Born February 14, 1951, in Scott, Louisiana, Michael Louis Doucet grew up surrounded by Cajun music and storytelling. He learned banjo at six, guitar at eight, and joined a Cajun rock band with his cousin Zachary Richard at age twelve. After a pivotal trip to France in 1974, Doucet returned home determined to study and preserve Cajun music.

In 1975, he received a Folk Arts Apprenticeship Grant from the NEA to study with master fiddlers like Dennis McGee, Varise Conner, Canray Fontenot, and Sady Courville. He formed the band Coteau and later founded Beausoleil in 1977 with Kenneth and Sterling Richard. The group became internationally known for its electrifying blend of Cajun, zydeco, blues, country, and jazz.

Beausoleil has released over 30 albums, toured globally, and appeared on Austin City Limits, Prairie Home Companion, and Late Night with Conan O’Brien. Their music has been featured in films like Belizaire the Cajun, The Big Easy, and Passion Fish. Doucet also performed with the Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band, Fiddlers 4, and Cajun Brew, and taught at the University of Southwestern Louisiana.

His recordings span labels including Swallow Records, Rounder, Arhoolie, Smithsonian Folkways, Compass, and Yep Roc. Doucet’s work is credited with inspiring a new generation of Cajun musicians and preserving the genre’s emotional and cultural depth.

Signature Tracks

  • “L’Amour Ou La Folie” — Grammy-winning Beausoleil track
  • “Pine Grove Blues” — featured in Belizaire the Cajun
  • “Zydeco Gris Gris” — fiery fiddle-driven dance tune

Notable Accomplishments & Awards

  • Grammy Award – Best Traditional Folk Album for L’Amour Ou La Folie (1997)
  • Grammy Award – Best Zydeco or Cajun Music Album for Live at the 2008 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (2008)
  • National Heritage Fellowship – NEA’s highest honor in folk arts (2005)
  • USA Collins Family Foundation Fellow – $50,000 grant (2007)
  • Louisiana Music Hall of Fame – Inducted in 2011
  • Big Easy Entertainment Award – Best Cajun Band (10-time winner)

Bonus Notes

  • Plays fiddle, accordion, mandolin, banjo, guitar, trumpet, and viola
  • Deja vu Is considered a definitive retrospective of Beausoleil’s early years and musical revolution, spanning 1976-1990
  • Beausoleil has opened for the Grateful Dead and backed Mary Chapin Carpenter

Album Reviews

Déjà Vu
Swallow Records LP-6080 (1990)
Liner Notes / Review by Jim Bessman and Michael Doucet

“Déjà Vu” is a retrospective celebration of Beausoleil’s musical journey, featuring rare and previously unreleased tracks that span the band’s evolution. The album includes traditional Cajun waltzes, two-steps, and original compositions arranged by Doucet, with contributions from a wide circle of Louisiana musicians.

Jim Bessman writes: “Beausoleil has always been more than a band—it’s a movement, a revival, a living archive of Cajun soul. These recordings reflect not just musical skill, but a deep emotional connection to the land, the language, and the people.”

Michael Doucet adds: “These songs are part of our lives. They’re not just tunes we play—they’re stories we live. From the haunting ‘Valse des Balfa’ to the playful ‘Fi Fi Poncho,’ this collection is a tribute to the friends, family, and mentors who shaped our sound.”