beau jocque was born andrus espre in duralde, louisiana to sandrus and vernice (née allen) espre. his father (nicknamed "tee toe") was a well-respected accordion player who performed at many local dances, but who quit playing music when andrus' older brother was born. andrus played guitar in a high school band but his influences were not zydeco musicians but rather acts such as war, zz top, stevie ray vaughan, james brown, sly and the family stone, and santana.