was seemingly destined for a life as a music man. His upbringing in Lafayette, Louisiana, instilled in him an affinity for R&B alongside the Cajun trappings of southern Louisiana. Drawing vocal and stylistic influence from
was barely 20 at the time of his first album's release.
appeared to encouraging reviews on the independent Ripley Records label in September 2002. Soon afterwards, the young musician inked a deal with Island Def Jam.
With Island's support, doors began to open for
Broussard. "Just Like That," a track from the
Momentary Setback album, was culled for inclusion in the 2003 Lost and Found, Vol. 1 compilation alongside such Americana artists as
Ryan Adams and
the Jayhawks; that same year,
Broussard also appeared on a
Bruce Springsteen tribute album,
Light of Day, with the track "Back in Your Arms." He spent the autumn of 2003 on the road, where he served as opening act for
Dave Matthews Band,
Maroon 5, and fellow singer/songwriter
Gavin DeGraw.
Carencro, a sophomore album named after
Broussard's hometown, was issued by Island Records in 2004, and he made the jump from Island to Atlantic Records four years later for the release of
Keep Coming Back. He became a road dog after the album's release, opening for and sharing stages with everyone from
Maroon 5 and the Dave Matthews Band to Willie Nelson, O.A.R., and Bonnie Raitt. In March of 2011, two songs -- "Lucky" and "Only Everything" -- were issued for digital download as a precursor to his self-titled, Jamie Kenney-produced album that appeared in June.
–
Joseph McCombs, Rovi