Berard, influenced by the Cajun songs heard as a young child growing up in South Louisiana, began playing guitar at age eleven.
[1] After graduation, Berard founded The Basin Brothers Band, performing a repertoire of country, traditional and original Cajun French music at festivals, clubs, and workshops throughout the United States and in Europe.
[1] Berard owned a recording studio in addition to a music publishing company - OPLAMAE Music/BMI.
His work included composition, production, recording and editing for television and film in addition to his involvement with the Basin Brothers and other Louisiana bands and projects.
Al died February 26, 2014, in Lafayette, LA, after suffering an aneurysm the previous night.