11/22/2025
This world lost another incredible man and musician early this morning …
Born in Thibodaux, Louisiana in 1953, Cajun musician Wade Bernard grew up in the fishing village of Golden Meadow along Bayou Lafourche 50 miles south of New Orleans. He performed with country, Cajun and swamp pop musicians throughout Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Minnesota and North Dakota in the 1960’s and 70’s. He recorded 3 singles for the JIN record label in Ville Platte, Louisiana.
Moving to Nashville in 1981 he joined up with Grand Ole Opry star Jimmy C. Newman touring the US and overseas and appearing on the Opry. Along with Newman, he has recorded with legendary Cajun fiddler Rufus Thibodeaux, Jo-EL Sonnier (playing bass on his Grammy nominated cd “Cajun Blood) and Cajun fiddler Waylon Thibodeaux. He spent 16 years touring and recording with country star Ronnie McDowell and has performed, recorded or appeared with many country and rock and roll legends such as Carl Perkins, Brenda Lee, the Jordanaires, the Kentucky Headhunters, Conway Twitty, Mel Tillis, George Jones, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Judds, Garth Brooks, Pat Boone, Ray Price, Billy Joe Royal, T. Graham Brown, Eddy Raven, Jack Greene and others. Since 2014 he has toured with country music Hall of Famer Bobby Bare. He was also on the Grammy nominated CD “All The King’s Men” which featured Scotty Moore and DJ Fontana, members of Elvis’ original group, and is currently appearing, once again, with Ronnie McDowell.
He appeared on TV and radio programs such as Nashville Now, the Grand Ole Opry, Crook and Chase, RFD TV, Entertainment Tonight, That Good Old Nashville Music and Ernest Tubb’s Midnight Jamboree.
He appeared with many groups backing up Elvis tribute artists, doo w*p and oldies acts.
As a songwriter his songs have been recorded by Grammy winner “The Kentucky Headhunters”, Opry legend Jimmy C. Newman, country legend Ronnie McDowell, swamp pop legends Johnnie Allan and Rod Bernard, Cajun legend Vin Bruce and other Louisiana artists.
Producing his own recordings of Cajun, country, gospel and swamp pop music on his own ”Spoon Recordings” label, Wade was nominated by the Cajun French Music Association for best Cajun vocal in 2001 and 2002. In 2008 his cd “Une Belle Journee” was nominated for the People’s Choice Award by that same association.
He produced CDs for many Louisiana artists such as legendary drummer and rock and roll Hall of Famer DJ Fontana, and the late Grand Ole Opry member Jimmy C. Newman and Cajun legend Vin Bruce. Newman and Bruce sing together with Wade on “Le Cajun du Bayou” CD.
He toured Canada, Central America, Europe and most of the United States spreading the Cajun culture and was a member of Roux du Bayou, a Cajun band based in Nashville.
In 2007 he was inducted into the Louisiana Westbank Music Hall of Fame.
Wade you will be dearly missed by all who knew you… til we all meet again in a much better place !
