A third generation product of the southwestern Louisiana region's most famed musical dynasty, nouveau zydeco accordionist Chris Ardoin followed in the traditions established by his father, French Zydeco Band frontman Lawrence "Black" Ardoin; his grandfather, Creole legend Alphonse "Bois Sec" Ardoin; and his distant cousin, Creole virtuoso Amedé Ardoin. Born in 1981, Chris made his public debut at the age of four at a Texas gumbo cook-off. Just five years later, an appearance at Carnegie Hall. The child prodigy eventually rejected the confines of traditional zydeco to pursue his own muse. Chris released his first album in 1991. And in 1996, three albums later, He signed to Rounder Records with his band Double Clutchin. In 2001, Chris changed the band name to NuStep Zydeko describing his new change in the music heavily influenced by Gospel & R&B, fused with a lil Hip Hop. With 18 albums to date, now independent, Ardoin's last three albums have reached #1 on World charts of which two hit Billboard.

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