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 concert band in addition to performing as lead guitarist in a local rock band which he founded.[1]
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 strived to promote and preserve
Cajun culture and music.[1]
Berard owned a recording studio in addition to a music publishing company - OPLAMAE Music/BMI. His work included composition, production, recording and editing for television and film in addition to his involvement with the Basin Brothers and other Louisiana bands and projects.[1] He resided in
Cecilia, Louisiana.
Al died February 26, 2014, in Lafayette, LA, after suffering an aneurysm the previous night.[1]
Discography
2014 Incredible Journey
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"
2001 T-Mamou Band Cajun and creole jam (Swallow SW 6160), producer, performer
2000 Lee Benoit, Dis 'n' Dat (MTE 5068-2) fiddle
1999 L’esprit de la Louisiane (Over the Moon Productions OMT-1943), guitar, bass, dulcimer
1999 Becca Begneaud, Merci pour le cadeau (Ame de Louisiane ADL-5001), arranger
1999 Ray Landry and the Basile Cajun Band, Ray Landry and the Basile Cajun Band play traditional style Cajun music (Swallow SW-6156) fiddle
1999 Medicine Show Gatherings of the tribe. Vol. 3 (Acadiana Arts Council), fiddle
1999 Medicine Show Gatherings of the tribe. Vol. 2 (Acadiana Arts Council), fiddle, vocals, guitar (with The Traiteurs and with Big Pecan and The Assorted Nuts)
1999 Native Sons Native Sons (Latanier 5011) mandolin
1998 Alain Gatay with Trans Bayou Express, On est après rouler! (France, CZML 0398)
1998 How’s Bayou, Pardon my French (Artdeco), fiddle, electric guitar
1998 Martin Swinger, Scrapbook
1998 Medicine Show Gatherings of the tribe. Vol. 1 (Acadiana Arts Council), fiddle, guitar (solo and with The Basin Brothers)
1997 Camey Doucet, Mom, I’m still your little boy (Swallow, SW-6140)
1995 Hélène Boudreaux, Pete Bergeron Une deuxième Chance (Swallow SW6120-2), performer
1995 John Dubois, Bayou Ballads (Chaud Dog Jean) guitar
1991 John Dubois, Rendezvous Louisianais (Chaud Dog Jean) acoustic guitar, mandolin, fiddle, background vocals
1990s Trans Bayou Express, Voyage dans le pays Cajun (France, TRE1LA99) fiddle, guitar, vocals
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 concert band in addition to performing as lead guitarist in a local rock band which he founded.[1]
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 strived to promote and preserve
Cajun culture and music.[1]
Berard owned a recording studio in addition to a music publishing company - OPLAMAE Music/BMI. His work included composition, production, recording and editing for television and film in addition to his involvement with the Basin Brothers and other Louisiana bands and projects.[1] He resided in
Cecilia, Louisiana.
Al died February 26, 2014, in Lafayette, LA, after suffering an aneurysm the previous night.[1]
Discography
2014 Incredible Journey
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"
2001 T-Mamou Band Cajun and creole jam (Swallow SW 6160), producer, performer
2000 Lee Benoit, Dis 'n' Dat (MTE 5068-2) fiddle
1999 L’esprit de la Louisiane (Over the Moon Productions OMT-1943), guitar, bass, dulcimer
1999 Becca Begneaud, Merci pour le cadeau (Ame de Louisiane ADL-5001), arranger
1999 Ray Landry and the Basile Cajun Band, Ray Landry and the Basile Cajun Band play traditional style Cajun music (Swallow SW-6156) fiddle
1999 Medicine Show Gatherings of the tribe. Vol. 3 (Acadiana Arts Council), fiddle
1999 Medicine Show Gatherings of the tribe. Vol. 2 (Acadiana Arts Council), fiddle, vocals, guitar (with The Traiteurs and with Big Pecan and The Assorted Nuts)
1999 Native Sons Native Sons (Latanier 5011) mandolin
1998 Alain Gatay with Trans Bayou Express, On est après rouler! (France, CZML 0398)
1998 How’s Bayou, Pardon my French (Artdeco), fiddle, electric guitar
1998 Martin Swinger, Scrapbook
1998 Medicine Show Gatherings of the tribe. Vol. 1 (Acadiana Arts Council), fiddle, guitar (solo and with The Basin Brothers)
1997 Camey Doucet, Mom, I’m still your little boy (Swallow, SW-6140)
1995 Hélène Boudreaux, Pete Bergeron Une deuxième Chance (Swallow SW6120-2), performer
1995 John Dubois, Bayou Ballads (Chaud Dog Jean) guitar
1991 John Dubois, Rendezvous Louisianais (Chaud Dog Jean) acoustic guitar, mandolin, fiddle, background vocals
1990s Trans Bayou Express, Voyage dans le pays Cajun (France, TRE1LA99) fiddle, guitar, vocals