Bayou Soul Troubadour Marc Broussard Debuts New Album at Rockwell Hall Show

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Marc Broussard is a self-proclaimed "white boy singing soul music," but that playfully dismissive tag doesn't do him justice. His music radiates soulful Louisiana blues, but his songs blend those influences with raucous rock 'n' roll to create unique and infectious music. Marc Broussard celebrates the release of his latest recording with a concert at Rockwell Hall on Saturday, November 15 at 8:00 p.m. Josh Hoge and the Gabe Dixon Band will open the show. This concert is part of the Performing Arts Center's 2008-2009 Great Performers Series, presented by M&T Bank.

Tickets for Marc Broussard are $35-$30 each, with a discount for seniors and rush tickets for students. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at the Rockwell Hall Box Office, 1300 Elmwood Ave., by calling 716-878-3005 or online at www.buffalostate.edu/pac. Box Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

"My fans have been asking me for years," said Marc Broussard, his road-hewn voice unmistakable over the phone. "Every time I come out with a record, they're like, 'It's good but it doesn't do the live show justice.' With Keep Coming Back, I feel that we've finally delivered an album that does exactly that."

Even so, Keep Coming Back is the pivotal album of Broussard's rocketing career. Why? Begin, the artist advises, with the musicians; buttressed by Music City session veterans Tim Akers on keys and Gary Burnette on guitar, all the players are members of Broussard's road band, seasoned by the same experiences that have shaped him as an artist and performer.

Marking his full album debut release on Atlantic Records, this set of original tunes was recorded in just 11 days at Nashville's historic Ocean Way Studios. Keep Coming Back confirms Broussard's position as an artist with a unique gift of channeling the multiple spirits of classic R&B and soul into contemporary terms.

That gift has been a matter of common knowledge since 2002, when Broussard released his debut album, Momentary Setback, which he recorded and released independently at age 20. Nor was it a secret before then, going back to those lucky witnesses who heard him belt "Johnny B. Goode" onstage at age 5 while sitting in with his father's band. Pretty much throughout his life, Broussard has been tapped as a talent to watch.

The son of Louisiana Hall of Fame guitarist Ted Broussard (of the legendary blue-eyed soul combo, the Boogie Kings), Marc grew up surrounded by the diverse musical panorama for which his homestate is world-renowned. Music informed his life from the get-go, whether it was joining his dad onstage at various clubs or singing in the Catholic University church choir. As he hit his teens, Broussard was already an accomplished artist, the veteran of a string of local bands and solo acoustic performances, known for tearing up the stage with the raw-throated gusto and worldly emotive power of a man three times his age.

Broussard made his recorded debut in 2002 with the remarkably mature independent release, Momentary Setback. He drew coast-to-coast acclaim in 2004 with his major-label debut, Carencro, a full-blooded take on the blues, soul, Cajun music, rock, and swamp-pop of his native Louisiana, distilled through the talented young tunesmith's flair for smart contemporary songwriting. With his emotive, dynamic voice and undeniable presence, Broussard quickly won over a legion of devoted fans via nearly non-stop roadwork, including countless headline shows; showstopping sets at festivals like South By Southwest, Bonnaroo, and of course, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival; and tours alongside such like-minded musicians as Dave Matthews Band, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Gavin DeGraw, O.A.R., and Maroon 5.

Marc followed up Carencro with 2007's critically acclaimed S.O.S.: Save Our Soul. He made his Atlantic label debut with Must Be The Water his first collection of all-new songs since 2004's breakthrough Carencro. The five-track EP is highlighted by the fuel-injected title track, which recently served as the theme for Turner Broadcasting's on-air promotions of the 2008 NBA All-Star festivities.

His philanthropic cred is strong too, through donating all proceeds from the sale of his Bootleg to Benefit the Victims of Hurricane Katrina, undertaking a month-long tour of U.S. military installations in September 2007, building homes with Habitat for Humanity and donating his service as spokesperson for Louisiana's United Way of Acadiana - all of which contributed to Hard Rock International's decision in 2007 to present Broussard with its "Love All, Serve All" Award in recognition of his multifaceted generosities.

The Great Performers Series is sponsored by M&T Bank and WBFO.

Media Contact:
Jeff Marsah, Director of Operations, Performing Arts Center | 7168783032 | marshajl@buffalostate.edu