The History of Amédé Ardoin
The family history that threatens to keep Pogo and Evie apart is based on actual events that took place in the 1940's to an historical musical figure - arguably the most famous zydeco musician of all time.Amédé Ardoin, the greatest accordion player who ever lived, was born in L'Anse des Rougeau in Evangeline Parish in 1899.
A black man, he was the first artist to record South Louisiana's "musique créole." But he also crossed racial boundaries to play Cajun music with noted white fiddler named Dennis McGee.
While performing at a dance in 1941 he accepted a white handkerchief from a white woman to wipe the sweat from his brow. Because of this, a group of men followed him home and beat him terribly, crushing his throat and destroying his music career. He survived the beating, but was no longer able to sing or play music. He died at Pineville mental hospital on November 3, 1942.
POGO & EVIE is the story of Amédé Ardoin's great-great grandson (Pogo), and the struggle he faces when he falls for Evie, a descendant of the men responsible for Ardoin's death.