Wade A. Bernard

Wade Alan Bernard Born in Thibodaux, Louisiana on December 15, 1953, Cajun musician Wade Alan Bernard grew up in the fishing village of Golden Meadow, along Bayou Lafourche, located 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 three singles for the JIN record label in Ville Platte, Louisiana.

Moving to Nashville in 1981, he joined Grand Ole Opry star Jimmy C. Newman, touring the US and overseas, as well as 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 also performed on the 1997 Grammy nominated album “All The King’s Men” which featured Scotty Moore and DJ Fontana, members of Elvis’ original band, The Blue Moon Boys, and had been touring, 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, as well as doo wop and oldies acts.

As a songwriter his songs have been recorded by Grammy-winning band The Kentucky Headhunters, Opry legend Jimmy C. Newman, country singer Ronnie McDowell, swamp pop performers 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 album “Une Belle Journee” was nominated for the People’s Choice Award by that same association.

He produced albums for many Louisiana artists such as legendary drummer and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer DJ Fontana, late Grand Ole Opry member Jimmy C. Newman and Cajun legend Vin Bruce. Newman and Bruce sing together with Wade on the album “Le Cajun du Bayou.”

He toured Canada, Central America, Europe and most of the United States spreading his Cajun culture and was a member of Roux du Bayou, a Cajun band fronted by Louisiana native and Jimmy C. Newman accordionist Paul Gregoire, based in Nashville.

In 2007 he was inducted into the Louisiana Westbank Music Hall of Fame, and was the Reunion of Professional Entertainers 2025 Musician of the Year.

Wade passed from this world to his heavenly home on November 22, 2025, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center, surrounded by his beloved wife of 34 wonderful years, Cheryl, and the Ronnie McDowell family.

Wade is preceded in death by his mother, Mary Lee Rosa Bernard and his father, Dudley Bernard.

He is survived by his wife Cheryl Ann Douglas Bernard; his brother, David Bernard and wife Marla, his children Pamela Claytor and husband JT; son Daniel Rodriguez and wife Olivia, and the great joy of his life, his six grandchildren, Joseph, Eva, Jeremiah, Natalie, Victoria and Juliette.

Wade has requested that there be no funeral service, but a celebration of his life in music will be held at 3:00 pm, on Sunday, November 30, 2025 at The Troubadour, 2416 Music Valley Drive, Nashville.

À bientôt, mon ami.