Theme Joomla Pro Extensions

The Joy of Life is in the Accordion

Bruce was born in New Orleans on July 11, 1958. His parents were part of a post-World War II migration of Cajuns to New Orleans from the rural farming communities of Avoyelles Parish. Located in the uppermost corner of Louisiana's "Cajun triangle," Avoyelles Parish is the forgotten part of Cajun country. Nevertheless, the language and customs of the Cajun people are as deeply rooted here as anywhere in the state. And whenever you walk through the door of Bruce's family home, you return to Avoyelles Parish. His parents have never abandoned their beautiful Cajun French, and they've kept their gumbo and fricassee simmering on the stove.

The same, instinctive pride of culture and heritage that has guided his parents' lives, and his grandparents' lives, is now invested in Bruce's music. Music came to Bruce at an early age, and in the most traditional manner--handed down from father to son. When he was growing up, no family gathering was complete without a little playing and singing. His father picked the guitar, "Carter Family-style," while his Uncle Alton lent a remarkable voice to the traditional Cajun songs and old-time country ballads. When Bruce turned five, his father presented him with a guitar, and by the age of ten he was also bearing down on a five-string banjo. It was in 1978, after attending the annual Festival Acadiens in Lafayette, that Bruce was inspired to devote himself to the French accordion. By 1980 he had his own Cajun band, and was honing his skills at regular Thursday-night fais do do dances at the Maple Leaf Bar. Over the next six years, Bruce Daigrepont almost single-handedly popularized Cajun music and Cajun dancing in cosmopolitan New Orleans.

The Mercy Brothers are a hillbilly gospel outfit dreamed up by Kevin Sekhani and Mark Meaux of the Bluerunners along with founding keyboardist Garland Theriot. The Mercy Brothers were born to bring audiences the good news by way of songs of faith and devotion, love and despair, singing songs of the spirit from both sides. A Holy Ghost explosion! Rounding out the Mercy Brothers lineup are the likes of Matt Thornton, Dave Nezat and Andrew Duplantis.

The Mercy Brothers debut release Holy Ghost Power! was recorded with the fantastic rhythm section of Cal Stevenson and Greg Walls.