Sammy Kershaw's blend of honky tonk and southern-rock made him a popular recording artist in the early '90s. The third cousin of legendary Cajun fiddler Doug Kershaw, Sammy was born in Kaplan, Louisiana, the eldest of four children. He grew up listening to Hank Williams, Conway Twitty, Buck Owens, and his idol, George Jones. When Kershaw was eleven, his grandfather gave him an electric guitar for Christmas; he debuted professionally at age 12 with J.B. Perry, a popular local musician. With Perry, Kershaw toured the South, playing clubs and opening for several major acts; the repertoire included songs by Jones, Charlie Rich, Ray Charles and the Allman Brothers. After overcoming financial difficulties which forced him to take day jobs, Kershaw joined Blackwater, which played the club circuit in the South and West. He also cut some independent solo singles. By the late '80s, he was tired of the constant touring. To save his crumbling second marriage, he left music to work for Wal-Mart for two years. Eventually, songwriter Barry Jackson suggested that Kershaw send a demo and picture to Nashville. In 1991, he did a showcase there and was signed to Mercury Records.