Orange Blossom Special - Doug Kershaw (Fiddlers Three)

YEEEHAWWW!
The Ragin' Cajun is back! Earlier this year, I inadvertently deleted my You Tube account and lost all my videos. Among them were several rare Doug Kershaw songs from an old PBS show called "Fiddlers Three" which starred Doug, Jean Luc Ponty and Itzhak Perlman. I dug for the VHS tape but never could find it so I assumed I had tossed it after my initial transfer to digital. Just last week, while cleaning my work room, I found the tape! I will upload the 4 Kershaw songs as well as the show finale that starred all three fiddlers. This was Doug's third song, "Orange Blossom Special".

[@gfh110]

As a fiddle player of 20 years I still to this day can't fathom how this man manages to play articulate notes at 90 miles an hour on a fiddle that's essentially floating in midair with a bow that has at best ten hairs left on it. It's the most amazing thing I've ever seen.

[@AlleyBoy5]

You see the sickness....

[@anitaharris9095]

I saw him in person one time and he had to stop in the middle of a song and put new hair, or whatever it's called on, on his bow. The band kept playing and he just jumped back in right were they were without missing a beat. Ever since that day I've called him a fiddle playing fool.

[@rickyburton4642]

Good ain’t he!

[@tomabbott4980]

i saw Doug Kershaw play many times and he cuts the bow strings. he is still GREAT TO WATCH.

[@danielbarnes4935]

It's that Devil's elbow

[@wizardoffrobozz]

impossible not to wear a hideous smile watching this guy. seriously a one-of-a-kind artist

[@barrysmith8920]

INSANE intonation, double stops, original phrasing, speed, power, passion and endurance!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 I saw him in Tucson 1974..To this day the greatest performer I’ve ever seen and I’ve seen thousands. By the time of this filming in 1977, Kershaw had been performing all over for over 30 years! He’s 86 now, still doing shows

[@ronbaker8774]

First off, Orange Blossom Special has to be one of the best songs ever written. And then this particular performance by Doug Kershaw sets the standard for all others to live up to. You cannot listen and watch without moving and smiling because it is just that good.

[@caniff]

the "train beat" for any drummer is a challenge -- easy to lose the timing, or just wear out. this guy rises to the challenge. well done.

[@angelicadelgado6073]

All while wearing a puffy shirt. Mad props to this dude!

[@jamesgullett3557]

P

[@KevinBenecke]

And at that speed.

[@CannibalWHORE22]

Practice as boring as it may be, always pays off if you have determination.

[@kvaleda213]

I saw him in concert decades ago. He stood on his head supported by 2 musicians and played Orange Blossom Special - OMG and the crowd went wild!!

[@davidseipp3322]

K Valeda

[@DJK-cq2uy]

He makes Jerry Lee Lewis look mild

[@larrychristian7239]

I don't care what anyone else says, but this is the baddest , most ass kickin' version of the orange blossom special EVER played!

[@jimrebr]

What a rockstar Doug Kershaw is, dang, this is my favorite bluegrass song ever, played by the 1st great fiddler I knew about, in 1970. He toured with the Rolling Stones, so yes, he’s Country , Bluegrass and Rock!❤ I loved how he tore that bow up, was just waiting for him to toss it and grab another one, all that Russian horse tail hair didn’t stand a chance, lol 😂

[@dlwatib]

Man attacks violin on Orange Blossom Special. Two bows died in the attack, the violin survives in critical condition at local hospital.

[@chaplainmattsanders4884]

dlwatib . LOL!!!

[@Sprinnard-]

This guy is a performer!

[@michellebuja2999]

Nice. Lol

[@michellebuja2999]

dlwatib 🔥💩👊

[@rickhuntraslam2925]

d r u G s 🙈

[@charlesmerchant5752]

Saw the crazy Cajun twice, in the Longhorn Ballroom, Dallas Texas, in 1976. Same place and year, that I saw Waylon, and David Allen Coe !

[@rickyburton4642]

Straight out of Heaven!!! 😃👏👏👏👍👍🇺🇸. Thank God for him!

[@garyg5122]

I got to see Doug Kershaw in 1969 at the Boston Tea Party. He was the opening act for the Byrds. I have loved his music for over 50 years!

[@nancydean8260]

Watched him on TV years ago, been listening to him play for 50years! He's the best!

[@randyelliott9152]

Saw him several times at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas,Great,energetic show.......Kudos to a very consistent and hard working drummer

[@ernestcashion4462]

2023 and he still plays a few times a year.

[@barrysmith8920]

87 years old!

[@mikeveis9188]

Same in 2024

[@mikeveis9188]

He's now 88 years old.

[@robertorlandoblea6650]

I love the Ragin' Cajun. Master showman. Highest energy concert I have ever attended.

[@stevenfan1218]

There will never be another as good as him

[@KevinBenecke]

Nope.

[@judymcvey9005]

Saw him at a summer park program at one of Kansas Cities lakes.in early 70s. I'd always loved his wild Cajun performances I'd seen on t.v. , but live was just a whole new experience. Not many strings left on that Louisiana man's fiddle at end of . One of my best nights ever!

[@dbergum1]

Total Madman on the Fiddle....Fuckin Awesome....

[@JoeHintz]

You don't even have to like music, OR the song to be fascinated by true talent, AND showmanship!!!

[@randymiller3949]

I remember my dad telling me when I was boy growing up in Gordon Alabama in the early 70s, that Doug Kershaw came to Dothan Alabama to put on a concert & he was the best fiddle player he had ever seen. Much love from Mobile Alabama.

[@d18dlf]

One heyell of a showman and Cajun fiddle player. So underrated and underappreciated. When I was haullin big truck, a Cali turnaround and Doug Kershaw, grab gears , dodge a Koop and go.

[@tcscushing]

We were a rural venue, Oregon Fair in the 70's, and Doug played his heart out, and also made us feel he cared about US. I have been a great admirer since. Thanks for the beauty you have added to this world, Doug.

[@fripso]

What an entertainer! He's the Pete Way of Cajun music! I saw him in either the late 70s or early 80s and HE WAS AMAZING!

[@billbammerlin4666]

Met him once at the Lorain County Fair. He rented a truck from me, I was a Jartran dealer, he ga me and my wife passes to his show. All I can say is wow what a showman.

[@ianmotasabuanbarriatos]

He was the most Legendary Raging Cajun! Long Live DOUG KERSHAW!!!🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@southok]

DONT EVER LISTEN TO THIS GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE...THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW YOU WILL BE SITN ON 90MPH

[@babswright2664]

+YOKI LEE I could imagine. It does that to you.

[@gerardperry9873]

YOKI LEE ., uhb

[@jamescook6406]

YOKI LEE 😂😂😂😂

[@doughesson]

With a State Trooper behind you with his blue lights on and a big grin on his face.

[@tomswinburn1778]

Been there, done that!

[@t4texastomjohnnycat978]

Rusty & Doug Kershaw... AWESOME in the 1950s AND 1960s. Doug is STILL the World's Champion Cajun fiddler.🎻👍

[@mikehannon4097]

Thank you so much. I love Crazy Doug Kershaw. He was in a very obscure movie in the early 70's called Zachariah The Electric Western. The film is where The James Gang got their name when Joe Walsh was asked to play in the movie and the band didn't yet have a name. Also some great drumming from Alvin Jones.

[@freddielee8500]

Wow! How interesting this is. I’ve loved Doug since the 70s. Gotta try to find that movie and check it out.

[@mikehannon4097]

@@freddielee8500 There is a very low quality version on KZbin I believe.

[@songsabai3794]

Amazing find!!!!.....my mom told me that when Kershaw hit the scene everyone thought he was a madman - clearly I can see why, he was WAY out there for the day. Cool how he can play with almost no tension on his bow.

[@valerieehrlich1500]

Doug Kershaw beats Charlie Daniels hands down

[@royhammond9670]

That's why he was called the raging Cajun

[@johnb5057]

@@valerieehrlich1500 charlie daniels wasnt shit

[@rocknroll7316]

@@valerieehrlich1500 remember the Sammy Kershaw so g that had the line 《 he was the Charlie Daniel's of the torque wrench 》 it should have been the Doug Kershaw of the torque wrench

[@johna1764]

See that bucket in front of the drummer? It contained spare bows for Doug. He always had a bucket of them nearby when he played & could switch to a new 1 in a heartbeat & not miss a beat. I saw him in person 2 times & met him personally the 2nd time.

[@randallrobinson827]

I saw him in Austin, Texas in the mid-70’s. He was all over the stage at an incredible energy level.

[@patsaylor6673]

He lived in Greeley a few years ago had a bar and dance hall and a big home east of Eaton saw him many times 🎶🎶❤️

[@debbiehuser9056]

Isn’t it because he was high as a kite on drugs?

[@frankpuryear3844]

​@@debbiehuser9056yea a lot of the time . But so what . So was stevie ray Vaughan and Duane almond , and most of the greatest . It was them not the drugs. If you do the drugs you would still suck ide bet.

[@linda5565]

This is my first time being acquainted with Doug Kershaw and he is one wild man on a fiddle. WOW no other words for this frenetic, driven fiddle player. One can not help but be happy when you listen and/or watch him play. Simply amazing.

[@Mike583]

Wow! Really, you've never heard of Doug Kershaw b4? U must b a young lady!!!

[@brianfullerton4953]

73, saw him play in TO fifty years ago. Wild and crazy, lots of fun. Still love to hear him. Irish on HOT sauce.

[@annahkurtin5345]

Poor child!

[@adeleg444]

I saw him in concert in the 70's. He was high energy, all over that stage. It was pure joy. He defines music. How I still love him!

[@annahkurtin5345]

@@adeleg444 Diggy Liggy Lo

[@jon2bec2]

Kershaw is the Jimi Hendrix of cajun fiddle, with way more energy. Off the charts! He must be crazy!

[@michaelmapes4119]

he went through more bows during a song that Jimi did picks!

[@doanldraney9073]

jon2bec2 I swear I was saying the same thing. Then I seen your remarks.

[@buddyroeginocchio9105]

I agree with the Jimmie Hendrix comparison least in the case of this performance however it is not to be taken as a compliment. This is just a lot of noise with rhythmic embellishment.

[@richardmessina9475]

Buddyroe Ginocchio My thought, also.

[@treystewart9812]

+Buddyroe Ginocchio I agree with the first two! I think it's a complement! if somebody compared me to hendrix on any instrument I'd be tickled to death! that would mean I'm playing the piss out of it! that's what hendrix did with his guitar that's what Doug Kershaw's doin with his fiddle! I thought it was a great thing to compare him too!

[@jkmerriwether9919]

I Love how he shreds his bow, and I Love how the UK and America continually trade culture. Cheers, mates.

[@tenabob]

This is the best video of the three I could find of him playing the Orange Blossom Special. Thanks for posting this version again, it was posted and then taken off months ago. Love it!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Skanzool]

Doug is the maestro of the fiddle. What a player.

[@srhcb1]

Sometimes a single performance can define an entire genre of music:

[@bobsaturday4273]

when you're as good as Doug , I guess you wear any shirt you want !

[@chillywilly5258]

Doug wears it better.

[@michellebuja2999]

Bob Saturday Hey... I love the poet shirt. Timeless & classic!😍

[@zachsimmerock3420]

Amen Saturday

[@tedmulthauf3867]

Maybe the soft talker asked him to wear the puffy shirt.

[@zachsimmerock3420]

@@tedmulthauf3867 maybe Captain jack sparrow, traveled through time and told him the fashion

[@larrymarsh6072]

He's simply the greatest 'Fiddler" ever

[@Tyler380]

Doug Kershaw is 84 now.. God bless him..

[@mizzmead8077]

Thank you Paul for bringing Doug Kershaw back to life :)

[@ChristopherOconner-nf5hb]

I thought I seen him in a bar years ago on Vine Street Cincinnati somebody that look like Kim was playing the fiddle standing on the bar

[@ClaurenRidgeWinery]

Watched this man since I was about 8 years old...a true modern day Mozart

[@IantheWoodcraftsman]

Sensational musicians all! As a would-be drummer, I was rapt in his performance. Never seen two bows with broken strings doing one song - but hey -- they had a heck of a work-out. Thanks for posting!

[@johncraig3756]

Super talented Cajun! Met him once, very friendly, we talked music & musical instruments mostly. No better showman.

[@OzoChe]

Bringing these amazing memories music,love the fiddle and Mr.Doug,play that fiddle,Bailamos,Shall we Dance ,Enjoy ,Cannon music,here,in Louisiana, Red Feather salutes you ,beautiful, People, And this Artist,Simply the Best,Millions of Blessings, Bearhugs,Embraces,Bendisones, Amen

[@susanwallace2258]

He must REALLY go through the bows!!! I saw him in person years ago, and what a treat! Thanks for posting!

[@williamwade6945]

a classic done a thousand times but NEVER BEFORE like this.....SMOKIN!

[@BarrySmithviolin]

Seen him live three times. His double stops and intonation are absolutely incredible.. This performance is proof!! 🌟

[@mynameisnobodysometimeseve7653]

He rocked the night for us way back in 78 or 79 lacrosse wisconsin. About gave those old folks heart attacks. I do believe we broke a table (dancing on it) hahaha, great memory thank you Mr Doug Kershaw.

[@barryyoungtv]

well, he's gotta (play furiously and burn thru bows to) make a livin'... he's a louisiana man.

[@bobsmith3078]

Barry Young

[@ed.b4618]

I remember watching thus guy on TV in the early 70s in the Bronx NY.

[@gutbucket260]

Love the 70's hairstyle. Could be on a bayou somewhere or on stage with The Who.

[@Otispuss2]

It's funny, because whenever Doug had to borrow a fiddle, about 1/4 of the bow would be gone when he gave it back. Glad you reestablished your account! Thanks for this great upload!

[@georgelehew9203]

The first album I ever purchased was one of yours I believe it was around 1969 you were one of my earliest Inspirations to play a fiddle. I wanted to thank you and just say that you are such an inspiration. You have stayed true to yourself and your own style. Thank you kindly sir, a fine musician and a fantastic Entertainer!

[@JohnSmith-fj5ee]

I saw Doug Kershaw 50 years ago in Gresham Oregon.

[@jamesdananay3390]

Fantastic!!!!! I first heard The Ragin' Cajun' near the end of my Junior Year of HS or that summer. Been a huge fan ever since.

[@jrr6256]

Man, I grew up in East Texas and I could sit mesmerized what Doug play. Too bad they didn’t have iPhones in the 70’s. I could OD on his playing. Truly one of a kind.

[@501625abc]

The man is the Jimi Hendrix of fiddle players!!!

[@raymccraine2449]

Ol' Doug is the King of The Fiddlers! I like Jo El Sonnier and Ricky Skaggs Fiddle playing but Damn Doug just makes that thing come to life!!

[@garyrosenberg3502]

I met him in 69 or 70 in a recording studio in Hollywood. Looked exactly the same. They said he was from Louisiana. I had some roots in New Orleans said he’d never been there. New Orleans that is. Very quiet man. I didn’t know who he was yet? My group made a recording there. Didn’t go anywhere.

[@stacynewsom5888]

He needs to come back to the longhorn ballroom in Dallas in 2024 they just reopened.

[@hciade]

WOW!! Such energy, craziness, and talent!!

[@jerrycreamer1864]

I don't know how he manages to make it thru a song with a bow. he just shreds them!!!

[@marie-joseebreton947]

super beau à écouter et à regarder! mercis pour ce spectacle très professionel! ce 01-08-2017 Félicitations à David et à tes musiciens!

[@darylvandyke7399]

Thanks and Praises. So - so - so -grateful, for your efforts and the life and works of Master Kershaw.

[@mohammedcohen]

...first saw him on Midnight Special in or around 1974 just after I came home from Germany...been lovin' his music ever since...

[@rodneydockins3485]

Outstanding music and from the looks of it some outstanding drugs to

[@bropous4265]

Ho-LEE SHIYUT! The BEST Louisiana has to offer.

[@heatherinparis]

He's been a favourite of mine since back in the '60's

[@caesarillion]

Heard him at UCLA around 1972. Hot performance for sure. Live 100 yrs Doug. Paul V/Thailand

[@carltondonaghe]

The girl playing the tambourine is crazy beautiful!

[@rowlffffff]

Anyone know her name?

[@chodeshadar18]

@@rowlffffff I don't know her name but I have a feeling she and Doug had an...understanding ;>p

[@powerlinekid4296]

Annie Rose DeArmas

[@Machster10]

Yes she is so beautiful!

[@skudaarkaat1]

Doug Kershaw and Buckwheat Zydeco ( R I P ) turned me on to Cajun Zydeco 34 years (1982) ago and I've loved it ever since!!!!!!!

[@chrisfischer6195]

Cajun Zydeco? Wait. What? What's Zydeco?

[@dawnklug6986]

Zydeco is a mixture of Black French/jazz /R&B blended with Cajun and it became a sort of "Swamp Pop". EXCELLANT music combo. Listen to Geno Delafose and French Fockin' Boogie. He is a fantasti/Cajun/Zydeco musician/band that I see in person several x's a year out in Louisiana.

[@lenormand4967]

Chris Fischer ZYDECO IS A MISSPELLING OF HARICOT. HARICOT IS A SNAP BEAN. THE RHYTHM IS NOT SMOOTH BUT JERKY AND LOOKS LIKE A SNAP, SO SNAP BEAN.

[@blackjakko]

Brought here from watching beautiful film Days of Heaven by Terrence Malick. Doug Kershaw plays fiddle by fire light... brilliant. Amazing his fiddle doesn't break. Never seen anyone so outrageous playing a fiddle before. Makes me wanna pick up my dad's fiddle and get wild!

[@billwillman7687]

He’s the man. Coming from a great fan in Metairie, Louisiana.

[@ozzietadziu]

Outrageous performance shenanigans guaranteed to bring shame to any serious musician who ever held a fiddle.

[@michellebuja2999]

This guy blew my mind the first time I saw him. The Dean Martin Variety Show, he played Mama's Got the Know How while riding the Staten Island ferry in the snow! Louisiana boy was looking chilly! Amazing musician. Would like to find that song when he played Tampa Bay in 2008... It disappeared off of KZbin.😩Any clues? Thanx

[@jefhunwpb]

was remembering my days in evergreen Colorado. he lived there and would play at the little bear, photographed him for the local paper, great but distant fond memories...

[@mariemesvoixcelestesthomas7764]

Un très grand et immense talent :) C'est époustouflant !

[@teetaunjj7894]

Mais oui sha

[@sauquoit13456]

On this day in 1965 {January 13th} Johnny Cash performed "Orange Blossom Special" on the ABC-TV program 'Shindig!' One month later on February 13th it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; eventually it peaked at #80 and also spent 6 weeks on the Top 100 It reached #3 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart Five years later in 1970 Doug Kershaw covered it; his version peaked at #9 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart R.I.P. Mr. Cash {1932 - 2003} & Doug Kershaw turns 77 on Jan. 24th

[@sahajuddinsk1174]

sauquoit13456 j

[@sdovas]

Ol'Doug could turn any fiddle into a lethal weapon, and murder the crowd with pure joy, not violence. And wearin' that bar mitzvah shirt, too.

[@dagmarramgad5441]

I heard a story that Doug would secretly play a fiddle that belonged to a relative from age 3 to 5. Well one day he dropped it and cracked it and said relative was super angry to say the least. He stood there with the razor strap and told him to play a song he had learned, and if he didn’t he would get his ass whooped with the strap. Well Doug played that song, as well as two others he had concocted on the spot. Seems like Doug has always played like he imagine the audience was gonna kick his ass if he didn’t wow em, and wow em he do

[@frednavrotski8936]

Now that is what I call putting your heart into it.

[@marychristian7909]

Always loved Kershaw! Still do! Awesome! The best 🎻er ever!

[@kathleenmckeithen118]

What a treat!!!!!! Thank you! I will always love Steve Martin!

[@iilish]

I used to see him play at the Palomino in North Hollywood when i was a kid, he is also a lovely man.

[@hsrere]

Hi Paul - I have been looking for this for a long time - thank you so much - would love to see the entire show uploaded - it was such an amazing concert.

[@buddylowe2929]

I first saw him in the 70s doing "Jamestown Ferry" liked his music then and like it now. He's wild though. Dixie Creole needs watching.

[@moragmacgregor6792]

If they aren't crazy...they aren't really Cajun. Trust and believe.

[@gordongo7919]

The Ragin' Cajun'

[@cherylfarrell1638]

Absolutely incredible

[@lewishiggins168]

He's gonna need a new bow! I like how he acknowledges the other members of the band.

[@davidbrown4868]

Thank you! This is the best rendition of the Orange Blossom Special ever!!!!

[@yvonneyhra]

Can't stop listening, joyful music, happy I found you only yesterday. Thank you so much for your energetic music!! Found out you are 84 now, still going strong 🎶

[@paulparker3803]

Curious to know your source. I am actually 68 years old (born in '52). Longevity is in my genes but I'm not sure I want to see the 80's. Life gets hard at the end of the line.

[@yvonneyhra]

@@paulparker3803 the day before, after the first business visit in months, I was on KZbin and curious about the song Blossom Orange, so many people on the internet playing this song and I liked it and understood, however it was nice but it didn't grab me. The next was Doug Kershaw, never heard of, and Izak Perlman I was very much aware of. Looked for him on KZbin and came across this video! One of the best to my opinion! Need I say more... Travelled a lot in USA, been in Louisiana however never heard of Doug Kershaw. This is the 3rd day playing his music. To me he is really the best, in his own right, I wish not compare it to the classic violin, however....!! Thank you for asking 😊

[@yvonneyhra]

@@paulparker3803 and see Klezmer music with Perlman. One of the fiddlers is holding his violin the same way as Doug Kershaw. Maybe you will like this as well. Also happy music 😊

[@paulparker3803]

@@yvonneyhra Ah, okay. I understand your post now. It's Doug Kershaw who is 84 years old and still going strong. Happy listening!

[@yvonneyhra]

Maybe it is nice to tell: at this very moment listening to your radio station Wwoz fm, from Europe, The Netherlands 😊, old Cajun music 😊🎶

[@JoesemAckbar]

Best damn tambourine player I've seen in my life!

[@cooterbrown1]

Saw a movie called Zachariah,in early 70's...I remember 2 things about it..it was a western,and they had kershaw,walking around here and there dancing and playing fiddle by himself..finally after kershaw walks past them in desert,one goes who the hell is that guy

[@evanwolf6618]

🎶🎵🎻 I remember the trailer for that movie ' Zacharia (gun shot) . . . An Electric Western' .

[@terryswanson2750]

Sorry officer I was only doing 200 MPH, Wow !!!!

[@paulramsey51]

THIS IS CAJUN.

[@scallaghan2118]

What an amazing fiddler! But I'm so glad the 1960s haircut went away!

[@donstand2195]

The best fiddle player ever

[@davidmills1844]

Oh man, he had to throw the first bow down. Ge tore it to shreds playing 32/nd notes non-stop for 3 minutes!!

[@dixiebunting7811]

Heart and soul in Doug's music

[@asmfmjb]

Yup, the 'ragin cajun'..friend and I wend to a concert in Lincoln Ne, (Arrow Airport) and had the time of our life!!! Still remember him throwing chairs at the speakers hollerin..."turn de music up"!!!