GatorBites→ A Visit with Mr. Bois-Sec Ardoin

by Kirk Menier; reprinted from www.asteur.org

Yesterday was one of the best days in my life, as of lately. I took a day off of work to visit Mr. Alphonse "Bois Sec" Ardoin in Mamou, LA. I was greeted at the front door of his house as if an old friend came to visit. He immediately asked me into his house.

We talked for quite a while... talking about the old days and the way he first learned how to play. He talked about his uncle Amedee Ardoin, Dewey Balfa, and long time friend and fiddle player Conray Fontenot. He told me who he thought was "one of the best younger accordionist of today." He was excited when he talked about this younger player. He also talked fondly of the picture in his cabinet of him dancing with a younger woman... he said "I like to dance, yeah! See that picture of me with that young woman. Whew, we had a good time, yeah!" BIG SMILE... GIGGLE... GIGGLE Ladies, take note. You want to make an old man happy? Next time you're in the presence of this man, ask him to dance. He will remember it for the rest of his life.

After the conversation slowed, I asked him if he would play. He hesitated for a second then agreed to do so.

Words could never express my feelings of being in the presence of Mr. Ardoin. He played and played on his Bon Tee Cajun accordion built by Larry Miller and donated to Mr. Ardoin by many people. Bois Sec was very touched by the generosity of these people. He emphasized that he didn't pay a penny for that accordion.

He asked if I brought my accordion and wanted me to bring it into his house. He played my accordion at my request. I hoped that his "playing spirit" would somehow transfer into my accordion.

I could hardly fall asleep last night for playing back in my memory the entire 2+ hours that I spent with this down to earth, humbled "living legend." He has no clue of the way that Cajun music lovers all over the world, who know of him, feel about him and the way that he plays. He made several references at how he can't... (as he puts it) "I can't play all that good, me! Not like that young man can play. He can move those fingers fast and play it good, too!" BIG SMILE

Mr. Ardoin lives approximately 8 miles west of Mamou, LA on a gravel road in the country next to his son and some family members. His house sits on pillars above the ground. Typical of the country. A small house... but too large for only one person.

I left his house with him thanking me for visiting him and I replied, "No! Thank you for sharing your music with a young man like me."

I will forever cherish my time with you, Mr. Bois Sec.