Mix Stevie Wonder's vocals, the soul of Otis Redding, N'Sync's rugged good looks and Cajun spices and you have one of this year's hottest new artists, Marc Broussard.
Broussard is a musical legend trapped in a 22-year-old's body. His sound blends influences such as Wonder, Redding and Brian McKnight with the performance agility of John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews. His dynamic vocal stylings and songwriting capabilities are displayed effortlessly on his August 2004 Island/Def Jam release, Carencro.
The Louisiana-born singer named his sophomore effort after his hometown.
"Think of Sheryl Crow's little sister Karen," said Broussard jokingly after being asked for the correct pronunciation.
The immense talent of this up-and-coming artist, who hails from a family of musicians, is no joke. His father, Ted Broussard, is a former Boogie Kings guitarist and a Louisiana Hall of Fame member. At Christmas, his family sets up a PA system for a family jam session. Even with music all around him, it was the elder Broussard, not Marc, who discovered his "God-given" talent for singing.
At the age of five, Ted Broussard noticed his son's ability to sing on pitch. Marc Broussard soon began playing gigs with his father at clubs in the Lafayette, La. area and singing in the choir at his Catholic church. By the age of 17, he began leading different bands with his soulful solo voice and acoustic guitar and soon struck out on his own before landing at the Island/Def Jam label.
His current label discovered him after hearing his debut CD, Momentary Setback, which was released to positive reviews in the music industry.
"Audiences love him," said Christina Kotsamanidis, Island tour publicist. "He definitely appeals to a wide audience."
That is what Broussard has in mind when creating his music.
"When it comes to my music, I got my finger on the pulse of my audience," he said adding that he is more comfortable on stage than anywhere else. "I want an amalgamated audience [at my concerts]."
Sophomore nursing major Renee Washington found his music to be a mix of alternative, country and blues.
"When I first heard ["Home"] I immediately thought of Muddy Waters," she said. "It sounds like he is trying to stay away from being put into a category."
However, at Spinstreet on Poplar, Broussard's CD is located in one category, rock. A manager at the store, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the CD sold pretty well when it was first released. Currently the store is sold out and has more on order.
Broussard will be headlining tomorrow at Newby's on Highland St. He looks forward to visiting Memphis where friends Free-Sol are currently rocking the underground market.
"I definitely am influenced by Memphis artists like Otis Redding and Booker T and the MGs," Broussard said. "I know all about the Stax [family]."
He also has some advice for U of M students interested in a music career.
"If you truly feel you have product [music skills, etc.] you can not compromise anything," he said. "Stick by your beliefs and be open to wisdom from those who know more than you."
He added that he received 35 "nos" before Island said yes.
"You have to show the drive," he said. "Shoot for the stars and reach for the sky."
For more information on tomorrow night's show, contact Newby's at 452-8408. Check out the web for music downloads, pictures and more.
