Obit: D.L. Menard (1932-2017)

Subject: RE: Obit: D.L. Menard (1932-2017)
From: Mark Ross
Date: 12 Dec 17 - 02:19 PM

40 some years ago I wandered into The Lions' Head Bar in NYC. There in the back room were D.L., Dewey Balfa, and Marc Savoy. After finishing up a concert for the Pinewoods folks they had adjourned to the bar for drinks and were sitting there trading tunes. When D.L. had to excuse himself to go see a man about a horse (he had to use the facilities), he handed me his J200 so the music wouldn't have to stop during his absence. What a memory, the only chance I have ever had to play authentic Cajun tunes with some of the masters.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Obit: D.L. Menard (1932-2017)
From: GUEST,Danae Simmons
Date: 11 Dec 17 - 05:32 PM

Hello all. I am DL's granddaughter and my sisters and I sang at his beautiful going home service in July. We were then contacted to make a tribute album for DL and humbly accepted the invitation. We sing 3 of Papop's original songs (including The Back Door), 2 originals, and several covers, including "Leader of the Band" which we performed at his funeral. The album is now available for pre-order and you can listen to the clips before you order on our website (cd's will be shipped in the next week or so).

Autumn Wild Website

You can also go check our our facebook page: Autumn Wild Facebook page

I hope you all take time to go visit the site and share it with your family and friends. We want to keep DL's memory and music alive. Thank you all!

Subject: RE: Obit: D.L. Menard (1932-2017)
From: GUEST,melodeonboy
Date: 20 Aug 17 - 06:04 AM

I was also at that Savoy Family Band gig. I was shocked to hear the news. I've been singing "La Porte en Arriere" for years. About fifteen years ago I went to Erath in Louisiana and tracked down D.L. at his house. We had a great time chatting and laughing in his front room. A lovely, warm-hearted man with a great sense of humour. And what a voice!

Subject: RE: Obit: D.L. Menard (1932-2017)
From: Neil D
Date: 19 Aug 17 - 01:53 AM

The world is a poorer place with the loss of this legend. The video linked by Guest is one I've watched dozens of times, like any time my spirits need lifted. DL Menard performing "The Back Door" with L'Angelus backing is as close to perfection that music can get. And the live video complete with Cajun couples dancing the two-step in a farm yard and DL flirting with Katie and Paige during the fiddle solo, makes me smile every time.
I recently watched DL's funeral on Youtube, teary-eyed throughout. There was a little bit of preaching but mostly it was friends, bandmates and family, singing and telling DL stories. The one song that was not performed was "The Back Door" as it was explained that DL would surely be entering Heaven through the front door.

Subject: RE: Obit: D.L. Menard (1932-2017)
From: Rog Peek
Date: 04 Aug 17 - 06:48 PM

Very sorry to hear that. Have an autographed copy of "Cajun Soul" purchased when I went to see him, Eddie LeJeune and Ken Smith in Bristol UK sometime in the 90s. They were great!
Sadly Eddie died in 2001, now D L Menard has followed him. RIP.

Rog

Subject: RE: Obit: D.L. Menard (1932-2017)
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 04 Aug 17 - 05:21 AM

It's always sad when we lose people that have brought us so much pleasure. I first met D L in 1982 at the world's fair in Knoxville. I had gone there primarily to meet up with Albert Hash and the White Top Mountain Band. The amount of musicians that appeared at the fair was amazing and after watching a number of them during the day we went back to one of the houses where a number of them were staying for an informal picking session on the porch. This happened every night during the fair.
That night we had an amazing session with J P Fraley, Albert Hash and the White Top Band, Harmonica Phil Wiggins, Glen Bolick, Peter Gott and, Hamper McBee. A great evening's music topped off with D L Menard doing one of Hank Williams's songs Cold Cold Heart. Fortunately I had my tape machine running and was able to catch it all.
I was fortunate to visit D L at his home and chair factory some years later down in Erath and to catch up with him on each of his UK visits. I do have great memories and feel fortunate to have spent time in his company. So thanks a lot D L you will be missed. RIP.

Subject: RE: Obit: D.L. Menard (1932 - 2017)
From: Mr Red
Date: 04 Aug 17 - 03:38 AM

another legend gone

Subject: RE: Obit: D.L. Menard (1932 - 2017)
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Aug 17 - 05:15 PM

He was a giant of American music as far as I'm concerned. Here he is with the youngsters of L'Angelus doing another version of his "hit", The Back Door.

Click

Subject: Obit: D.L. Menard (1932 - 2017)
From: Vic Smith
Date: 03 Aug 17 - 08:19 AM

When we went to see the fabulous performance by The Savoy Family last Thursday in Lewes, Ann Savoy announced that they had just heard earlier that day of the death of the great Cajun singer, songwriter and guitarist D.L. Menard. They finished the evening with his best known song, "La Porte d'en Arrière." It reminded me of a superb performance that we saw by this warm, engaging performer in the company of accordionist Eddie Le Jeune and fiddler Ken Smith which must have been around 1975-80 in Brighton.
This obituary by Tony Russell appears in today's edition of "The Guardian" - https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jul/30/dl-menard-obituary

Here is D.L. Menard interviewed by Aly Bain in the "Down Home" TV series before singing that song along with with Aly, Eddie Le Jeune and others.
https://youtu.be/cCb80kSp-u0