Marc Broussard with special guest Chris J. Norwood & The Knockdown Dragout

Marc Broussard

MARC BROUSSARD is an artist with a unique gift of channeling the spirits of classic R&B, rock, and soul into contemporary terms. His father, Louisiana Hall of Fame guitarist Ted Broussard of “The Boogie Kings” nurtured his musical gifts at an early age, and the vibrant Lafayette, Louisiana music scene gave Broussard the opportunity to practice his craft consistently from childhood through early
adulthood. After releasing a successful independent EP at age 20, Marc signed a record deal with Island Records and made his major-label debut with Carencro. The album featured the hit “Home,” which gained large success on radio and catapulted him into the national spotlight. Over the next 10 years, Broussard released multiple albums with major labels, but has recently returned to his
independent roots with several acclaimed original and cover albums via his SOS Foundation (Save our Soul).

Broussard’s incomparable brand of soul – an infectious mix of rock, blues, R&B, funk-pop, and soul coupled with his powerful vocals - has garnered worldwide praise from critics and fans alike.

After multiple successful original and covers album releases, Broussard teamed up with Blues titan Joe Bonamassa to release S.O.S. 4: Blues For Your Soul, a Blues cover record benefitting Bonamassa’s charitable foundation.

Broussard will be touring across the US and Europe fall ‘23 before gearing up for his highly anticipated Carencro 20th Anniversary Tour in 2024. Marc will be playing his debut album Carencro front to back and also sprinkle in some of his fan-favorite covers songs from his S.O.S. series along the way!

Chris J Norwood & The Knockdown Dragout

If the photographic evidence accompanying The Knockdown Dragout is any indication, then Chris J Norwood is a beaten man.

Beaten, maybe... But not out!

As Norwood sings on “The Knockdown Dragout” — the ensemble, album, and first single all share the same name — he is a fighter:

I know it don’t look good

They got me up against the ropes

I ain’t no light weight kid

I got the fight, the will, the hope

The “will” and “hope” part comes in as the Dallas-based songwriter — and now bandleader, commanding a Stax-inspired ensemble cutting tracks live on the studio floor in the same building where Willie Nelson made Red Headed Stranger — leaves behind his acoustic guitar to make the album of his dreams.

“I have wanted to make this record for a long time,” Norwood says about a passion so strong, he parted ways with his record label to be able to see his vision through. “If you were to come over on a Saturday afternoon, Otis Redding is what is playing on the stereo.”

The Knockdown Dragout cover the Redding classic “Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa (Sad Song)” in a joyous rendition that sits perfectly alongside Norwood’s originals.

“I had to include an Otis cover,” Norwood explains. You can’t help but feel good, and that’s what I love about soul music. Even the sad songs make you dance.”

Norwood had become tired of sadness.

“I’m disillusioned with the ‘sad bastard’ scene of singer-songwriters that I found myself a part of,” he admits. After releasing two records that reckoned with darkness and personal tragedy, Norwood wanted to make an album that was “just fun.”

A “knockdown dragout” is a phrase I used to hear my mother use,” he explains of the album’s statement of purpose, which also addresses his relationship with the music industry. “It’s essentially a fight between two people that is particularly bad.” Norwood’s decision to leave his label to make this album was actually amicable, but even civil closure smarts.

The same goes for Norwood’s surprise genre switch-up.

“I wanted to write some songs that I could actually sing to Carrie and dance in the kitchen to,” he says, alluding to one of the album’s standout tracks, “Dancing In The Kitchen,” a love song to Norwood’s wife.

“Finally! Songs that are about me!” Carrie Norwood, who also appears on the record as one-half of the background vocal duo, The Knockouts, jokes.

“Being a Knockout comes with attitude and sass,” she says. “The world is pretty crazy right now, but there is still love and goodness to sing about.”

After listening to the celebratory songs on The Knockdown Dragout, Norwood’s “will” and “hope” win this bout by unanimous decision.