LC’s own Sean Ardoin performs at LSU-Kansas State bowl game
Published 6:37 am Wednesday, January 5, 2022
- Sean Ardoin belts out the National Anthem Tuesday night in Houston during the TaxAct Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium. (Rick Hickman / American Press)
Tuesday night’s matchup of LSU and Kansas State in the 2022 TaxAct Texas Bowl Game shone a spotlight on Southwest Louisiana as Lake Charles native and musician Sean Ardoin graced the football field to deliver the game’s National Anthem.
It was the first time for the groundbreaking musician to perform at a live sporting event, but he said he couldn’t have been more honored with the way that first performance came into existence.
“Getting to perform tonight is an incredible honor and is extra special for me because I am an LSU alumni. So tonight, I have the honor of representing the city of Lake Charles, my state and my university all at the same time,” Ardoin told the American Press.
Ardoin is the descendant of creole music legend Amede Ardoin, known as the Father of Zydeco, and he has carried on the family’s legacy in music by introducing a new music genre, Kreole Rock and Soul.
In 2009, he released the first notable Zydeco gospel album, How Great is Your Love and in 2019 he received his first Grammy nomination. His most recent album, Live in New Orleans, was recently nominated for two Grammy awards this year.
He also serves as president of the Recording Academy’s Memphis Chapter and has been featured on “Good Morning America,” “NCIS New Orleans” and “Queen Sugar.”
“This has been a great journey that I am so honored to be on. I love introducing people to Kreole Rock and Soul. The first time someone hears it, there’s an instant reaction. There’s a light in their eyes that I love seeing; people are instantly drawn to it,” Ardoin said.
Tuesday night’s performance served as as catapult for Ardoin and his band for 2022, as they will hit the ground running with tours booked throughout the year beginning in February. Ardoin said he intends to introduce the world to Kreole Rock and Soul, and he believes the music genre has the potential to take the nation by storm.
“In Southwest Louisiana, we have the swag, the food and the music to become the next hottest trend and I think it’s our time now. I think it’s going to be the next big thing in the world,” he said.
