Louisiana Zydeco Artist Chris Ardoin Speaks on Mamou Shooting

Zydeco musician Chris Ardoin has made a heartbreaking decision following the deadly shooting that erupted during his performance at Mamou Mardi Gras on Tuesday afternoon (March 4). The Lake Charles native was on stage with his 13-year-old son when gunfire suddenly rang out, sending the crowd into chaos, marking the second shooting in the town in just two days.

Ardoin’s On-Stage Reaction

Ardoin, who was previously shot in 2021 while performing at an outdoor event, immediately dropped his accordion and shielded his son as shots rang out near the stage. According to a video posted by Ardoin addressing the incident, law enforcement officers rushed in to protect the popular zydeco musician and his band as panic spread through the crowd.

"This was the first time I had one of my boys with me," Ardoin shared in his Facebook Live video. "He was on the stage, on the side of me, when it happened."

He recalled announcing to the audience that his son wanted to experience Mamou Mardi Gras for the first time, only for the event to abruptly end in tragedy.

No More Outdoor Shows

This most recent traumatic event has pushed Ardoin to make a major career decision—he will no longer perform at outdoor concerts.

"That's done," Ardoin said. "I love music, but I love life more."

Ardoin emphasized that the culture surrounding live music events has changed, describing the lack of safety that performers and audiences now face.

"Why would you come to an event like that with a gun, like it's a war?" he questioned, estimating that over 100 shots were fired in seconds.

Community Outrage and Support

The shooting left at least two teens dead and nearly a dozen injured, prompting an outpouring of support, frustration, and grief from fans, fellow musicians, and the local Zydeco community.

Thousands have shared Ardoin’s video, with many recalling his 2021 shooting and expressing heartbreak that he had to endure yet another violent incident.

Fans and fellow musicians flooded the comments:

"Chris, I am so sorry that you had to see that, bro 😭😭😭" – Cassie Allemond
"Glad y’all are safe!" – Tasha Ceasar Perkins
"So many kids, man…" – Juanita Pierite
"You’re making the right decision." – Roresa Randy Guillory

Many echoed Ardoin’s sentiment that live music events are no longer safe, with some urging artists to reconsider playing for younger crowds or high-risk events.

Things are Changing in the Zydeco Scene

Ardoin’s decision has been a sobering moment for many in the Zydeco music industry, which has long been a staple of Louisiana culture. Other artists have voiced similar concerns, expressing exhaustion and frustration over the increasing violence at public events.

As Mamou continues to suffer from its second shooting in days, many are left questioning the future of local music festivals, major events like Mardi Gras, not to mention the safety of artists and fans alike.

For now, Chris Ardoin is prioritizing family over fame—and based on the community's response over the last 24 hours, he’s not alone.