Cheryl Devall

OPELOUSAS – Creole accordion master Amédé Ardoin was a sought-after musician in life. After his death, though, his remains couldn't be found.

That's why his descendents — with help from friends — want to restore him to a prominent place in the cultural life of his native region.

More than 70 years after Ardoin died, there's a campaign to "Bring Amédé Home" by erecting a statue in his honor on the campus of LSU-Eunice.

"This is the best thing we could do since we couldn't bury him," said Dexter Ardoin, a third cousin to the late musician.

A fundraising effort launches Thursday with an event at Vermilionville in Lafayette. Members of the Ardoin family will perform and poet Darrell Bourque will read from his chapbook about Amédé Ardoin, "If you abandon me/Comment je vas faire." Copies of the book will be available for sale, and proceeds from those sales and the event will go toward creating the statue.

Amédé Ardoin was one of the first Louisiana musicians to record — 34 tunes in all, on 78 rpm discs. His solo work and collaborations with fiddler Dennis McGee continue to influence Creole and Cajun musicians.

Ardoin's artistry likely contributed to his death at age 44. The stories vary — onlookers at a house party where he played were so angry that a white woman offered her handkerchief so he could wipe his brow that they later beat him. Some say they ran him over with a car, or a jealous rival musician poisoned him.

However it came to be, Ardoin spent his final days "out of his head," relative Dexter Ardoin said, and unable to play. He was sent to the Pineville asylum in Rapides Parish, where, upon his death in 1942, he was laid to rest among the other deceased inhabitants.

"He wasn't given a proper burial," said Dexter Ardoin. "Our family tried years ago to get his remains," but found that in order to certify which were the right ones, the cost of DNA testing would be unaffordable.

Without the family's knowledge, Borque had already pledged the profits from his book to a memorial for Amédé Ardoin. It didn't take long for the poet and the musical family to collaborate.

"I said, 'Man, that's an awesome thing you're doing for my family,'" said Dexter Ardoin. That family also includes Lawrence "Black" Ardoin, Chris Ardoin of "Double Clutchin'" fame and Sean Ardoin, who's recorded a popular zydeco version of Pharrell Williams' "Happy." Also joining the effort is Patricia Cravins, wife of Opelousas Mayor Donald Cravins.

Together, they hope to raise $35,000 to $45,000, enough for a full-body statue — complete with accordion — modeled on one of only two known photographs. So far, they have not commissioned a sculptor. Thursday's event will be the first fundraiser of many.

"We're just hoping everybody will come support and show their respect for Amédé and what he did for the music," Dexter Ardoin said.

Want to Go?

The Ardoin musical family will perform and poet Darrell Borque will read at a fundraiser to create a public statue of Amédé Ardoin.

When: Thursday, August 7, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Where: Vermilionville, 300 Fisher Rd, Lafayette.

Admission: $10. Poetry books will be available for sale to benefit the memorial effort.