Ardoin was born near Basile in Evangeline Parish, Louisiana a descendant of both free and captive people. Amadee spoke only French and did not speak English, as did most people in this French speaking region. Developing his musical talents in preference to undertaking farm work, he played at dances, often for Cajun audiences, with fiddle playersAlphonse LaFleur and Douglas Bellard. He moved around the area frequently, settling at one point near Chataignier where he met Cajun fiddle player Dennis McGee. They established a more regular musical partnership, playing at local house parties, sometimes attended by Ardoin's young cousin, Alphonse "Bois Sec" Ardoin. 　　Ardoin and McGee were among the first artists to record the music of the Acadiana region of Louisiana. On December 9, 1929, they recorded six songs for Columbia Records in New Orleans.[6] They made further recordings together in New Orleans in 1930, and in San Antonio, Texas in August 1934. Ardoin also made solo recordings in New York City inDecember 1934.The recordings were issued on various labels, including Brunswick, Vocalion, Decca, Melotone and Bluebird.In all, thirty-four recordings with Ardoin playing accordion are known to exist. 　　His recordings and performances became popular throughout southern Louisiana. In the late 1930s, he played regularly in Eunice, Louisiana with fiddle player Sady Courville, but the two did not record together.Ardoin's music combined"European song forms and African rhythmic approaches such as swing and syncopation... [He] personified this cultural blend and enhanced its development through his deft technique and his ability to improvise. Ardoin was a lively,inventiveaccordionist who could keep a crowd dancing while playing alone. He was also a soulful singer whose emotional style made dramatic use of elongated, high-pitched notes."