Chris Ardoin

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Chris Ardoin
ChrisArdoin.jpg
Ardoin performing in June 2005
Background information
Birth nameChristopher Ardoin
Born (1981-04-07) April 7, 1981 (age 43)
Lake Charles, Louisiana, U.S.
Genres Zydeco
Occupation(s)Singer, musician
Instrument(s) Accordion, vocals
Labels Maison de Soul, Rounder, J&S, NuStep4Lyfe, Soul Rehab
Website https://chrisardoinmusic.com/

Chris Ardoin (born April 7, 1981 in Lake Charles, Louisiana [1] ) is a zydeco accordionist and singer. He is one of the young artists that helped form nouveau zydeco, a new style of music that fused traditional zydeco with various styles including hip-hop, reggae and R&B.

Contents

Biography

Ardoin was a child prodigy belonging to a musical dynasty (his father was Lawrence Ardoin and his grandfather was Bois Sec Ardoin). [2] His older brother is Gospel zydeco artist Sean Ardoin. He started with the accordion at the age of two and grew up listening to zydeco only for the most part until he was in his teens. [1] When he was just ten, with help from his father Lawrence, he formed the Double Clutchin' zydeco band with his elder brother Sean Ardoin on drums.

In 1994, the band released their debut album That's Da Lick on the Maison de Soul label. Though it was Sean who handled all the vocals and songwriting, the album was credited to Chris as they considered putting younger Chris in front would draw more attention to the band. [1] Chris came more into the center of the spotlight in the follow-up effort Lick It Up! released a year later, sharing vocals and songwriting duties with Sean. Sean left the band after releasing the album Turn the Page in 1998 to concentrate on his solo career.

In 2005, Ardoin changed the band name from Double Clutchin' to NuStep, and released Sweat, the first album under the new name. M.V.P. followed in 2006, V.I.P in 2008, Alter Ego in 2009, and Headliner in 2010.

On July 30, 2021, Ardoin was hit by gunfire in a seemingly-random shooting following a performance at the Zydeco Bike Fest in Colfax, Louisiana. [3] [4] [5] As of February 2022, no charges have been filed in the case. [6]

Awards and honors

OffBeat's Best of The Beat Awards

YearCategoryWork nominatedResultRef.
1997Best Emerging Zydeco Band or Performer (with Double Clutchin')Won [7]
1998Best Zydeco AlbumTurn the Page (with Double Clutchin')Won [7]
2007Best Zydeco Band or Performer (with NuStep)Won [7]

Discography

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Chris and Sean Ardoin Interview, Blues & Soul Records Magazine No. 53, 2003
  2. ↑ Bessman, Jim (March 16, 2002). "Capturing the sound of young Cajun America". Billboard . Vol. 114, no. 11. p. 115 – via ProQuest Music Periodicals Database.
  3. ↑ Allen, Renee (August 3, 2021). "Grant Parish Sheriff asks for help locating suspect(s) who shot Zydeco legend Chris Ardoin, and 14-year-old then fled scene". KLFY. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  4. ↑ Cuadra, Marcello (August 3, 2021). "Chris Ardoin recovering following Friday night shooting". KLPC-TV. Lake Charles, Louisiana. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  5. ↑ Johnson, Dionne (August 8, 2021). "Bullet still lodged inside Chris Ardoin's back but Zydeco legend says he's 'bouncing back'". KLFY. Lafayette, Louisiana. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Zydeco musician Ardoin recovering creativity after shooting". WWL-TV. New Orleans, Louisiana. Associated Press. February 12, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 "Best of the Beat Award Winners: Complete List". OffBeat Magazine . September 8, 2011. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
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