Marc Broussard

The son of Boogie Kings guitarist (and Louisiana Hall of Fame member) Ted Broussard, Marc Broussard was seemingly destined for a life as a music man. His upbringing in Lafayette, LA instilled in him an affinity for R&B alongside the Cajun trappings of southern Louisiana. Drawing vocal and stylistic influence from Otis Redding and Brian McKnight while bearing the preternaturally gruff voice of a John Hiatt or a Dr. John, Broussard was barely 20 at the time of his first album's release. Momentary Setback appeared to encouraging reviews on the independent Ripley Records label in September 2002. Soon afterwards he inked a deal with Island Def Jam and doors began to open. "Just Like That," a track from the Momentary Setback album, was culled for inclusion in the Lost Highway label's 2003 Lost and Found, Vol. 1 compilation alongside such Americana artists as Ryan Adams and the Jayhawks; that same year, Broussard also appeared on the Bruce Springsteen tribute album Light of Day with the track "Back in Your Arms." He spent the autumn of 2003 opening tour dates for the Dave Matthews Band, Maroon 5, and fellow singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw. A full-length second release, Carencro, named after Broussard's hometown, came out on Island Records in 2004, and Broussard made the jump from Island to Atlantic Records four years later.