Sammy Kershaw

Veteran country artist Sammy Kershaw became a star in the 1990s with his blend of traditional honky-tonk, mainstream pop, and Southern rock. ∙ Born in Louisiana Cajun country, he was a professional touring musician by age 12, and though he briefly quit music as a young adult, he eventually signed a record deal in 1990. ∙ Kershaw’s first hit single, 1991’s “Cadillac Style”—from the debut album Don’t Go Near the Water—earned him comparisons to his idol George Jones, whom he had met as a teen. ∙ Two dozen of his tunes have reached the Top 40 of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, including the No. 1 1993 hit “She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful.” ∙ His duet with George Jones, “Never Bit a Bullet Like This,” appeared on the country legend’s 1993 album, High-Tech Redneck, and on Kershaw’s 1994 LP, Feelin’ Good Train. ∙ In 2010, Kershaw was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. ∙ His 2014 homage Do You Know Me? A Tribute to George Jones, featuring classic tunes associated with the legendary singer, was Kershaw’s best-charting LP in 15 years.