David Doucet has redefined the acoustic guitar’s role in Cajun music, blending folk fingerpicking and bluegrass flatpicking to create a sound that’s as innovative as it is authentic. For over two decades, he’s been the driving rhythm behind Beausoleil, the celebrated band he shares with his brother, Cajun fiddle legend Michael Doucet. But David’s talents shine far beyond accompaniment—his 1991 solo debut, Quand J’ai Parti, proved he’s a powerhouse in his own right.
David’s guitar journey began unexpectedly. After breaking his arm in a high school football practice, he picked up the guitar to pass the time, teaching himself with Bob Dylan and Paul Simon songbooks. A chance listen to Doc Watson inspired him to explore flatpicking, and his musical world expanded further in 1980 when he discovered Clarence White’s imaginative style on The Kentucky Colonels 1965-1967. These influences shaped the unique voice that David would bring to Cajun music.
In 1975, David, Michael, and banjo player Raoul Breaux brought Cajun music to Louisiana clubs, but commercial success eluded them. The group disbanded, with David heading to college while Michael continued on to form Beausoleil. By 1976, David had joined his brother’s band just in time for their debut album, The Spirit of Cajun Music. The rest, as they say, is history.
Since moving to New Orleans in 1980, David has continued to enrich Cajun music, both as a solo artist and a collaborator. He’s worked with legends like dobro player Josh Graves and contributed to albums by Chuck Guillory (Grand Texas), Octa Clark & Hector Duhon (Ensemble Encore), and Michael Doucet (Dit Beausoleil). Whether strumming at the heart of Beausoleil or stepping into the solo spotlight, David Doucet keeps the spirit of Cajun music alive, one chord at a time.
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