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Sammy Kershaw: Cajun Charm on the Showdeo Stage

By Larry Philpot on April 24, 2025

At 4:00 p.m. on April 6, 2025, Sammy Kershaw brought his Cajun swagger to the Showdeo stage, delivering a nostalgic Two Step Inn set that had Georgetown two-stepping. After a rained-out 2024 performance, as Saving Country Music noted, Kershaw’s return was a victory lap, his ‘90s hits reigniting memories for longtime fans.

File Photo: Country Legend Sammy Kershaw performs in Georgetown, Texas at the Two Step Inn Festival on April 6, 2025. (Photo Credit and Copyright; Larry Philpot/SoundstagePhotography.com)

Background and Bio: Born February 24, 1958, in Kaplan, Louisiana, Sammy Kershaw is a country stalwart with 25 charted singles, including 10 Top 10s and the No. 1 “She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful” (1993). His albums Don’t Go Near the Water (1991) and Haunted Heart (1993) are gold-certified, with hits like “Cadillac Style,” “Queen of My Double Wide Trailer,” and “Third Rate Romance.” His Cajun roots and George Jones-inspired voice define his sound. Kershaw appeared on Nashville Star (2003) and Celebrity Fit Club (2008), and his duet “Never Bit a Bullet Like This” with Jones featured in Small Soldiers (1998). He’s earned CMA and ACM nominations but no major wins. His 2020 album Blues and Love Songs keeps him active.

Performance Review: Kershaw sauntered out, his baseball cap providing some warmth for the cold Texas day, and launched into “Cadillac Style,” its upbeat twang sparking instant two-stepping. His Cajun drawl and warm grin, as Holler praised from past festivals, made the Showdeo stage feel like a Louisiana juke joint. “She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful” was a sing-along peak, with couples swaying and older fans shouting lyrics. Kershaw’s nod to his 2024 rainout—“Georgetown, y’all brought the sun this time!”—drew cheers. “Queen of My Double Wide Trailer” kept the energy high, its cheeky storytelling a crowd-pleaser. A soulful “Love of My Life” slowed the pace, showcasing his vocal depth. Kershaw’s band, tight with fiddle and steel, amplified his honky-tonk roots. His set, bridging ‘90s nostalgia and timeless charm, was a Day Two highlight, setting the stage for Sturgill Simpson.