Marc Broussard back at Track 29

Louisiana musician checks in a year after helping open the Chattanooga venue

photo Marc Broussard

IF YOU GOWhat: Marc Broussard, featuring CourrierWhen: 8 p.m. today, April 4Where: Track 29, 1400 Market St.Admission: $17Phone: 423-521-2929Venue website: www.track29.coArtist website: www.marcbroussard.comDISCOGRAPHY2002: "Momentary Setback"2004: "Carencro"2005: "Bootleg to Benefit the Victims of Hurricane Katrina"2007: "SOS: Save Our Soul"2008: "Keep Coming Back"2011: "Marc Broussard"2013: "A Life Worth Living" (not released yet)

Louisiana is a land defined by intermingling: river, delta and sea; metropolitan theaters and backwood juke joints; and, of course, gumbo.

As one of the South's premier breeding grounds for musicians, it produces artists who embody that same fluidity of spirit. Marc Broussard grew up in Carencro, a small town smack in the middle of the boot.

Broussard, 31, the son of Boogie Kings guitarist and Louisiana Hall of Fame inductee Ted Broussard, will make his second appearance on the stage at Track 29 tonight.

With his poppy, soulful vocals that call to mind Otis Redding and Brian McKnight and a grooving backing band, Broussard was a big hit as one of the first artists to perform at Track 29 after its September 2011 grand opening, says venue general manager Monica Maples Kinsey.

"His first show (in October 2011) was phenomenal. It's always great to hear the audience sing along with the artist," Kinsey recalls. "We've had people request that we book him again."

That show attracted a crowd of about 500, according to Kinsey. The venue's moveable stage will be set tonight to accommodate an audience of about 1,000.

Broussard has shared the stage with some marquee artists, including OAR, Willie Nelson, Dave Matthews Band and Maroon 5. His music has been sung by artists such as Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton.

Despite his brushes with such big names, Broussard remains down to earth, something his fans appreciated during his Chattanooga debut, Kinsey says.

"He did a meet-and-greet, and everyone was really thrilled," she says. "He is very soulful and interactive with the crowd. He has dialogue with the crowd and sometimes takes requests.

"He's just very personable."

Contact staff writer Casey Phillips at cphillips@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6205. Follow him on Twitter at @PhillipsCTFP.

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