By Special Request
Sample excerpt for album By Special Request.
Read MoreThe Legendary Bayou Boogie Recordings 1977-79
Sample excerpt for album The Legendary Bayou Boogie Recordings 1977-79.
Read MoreThe Early Years
Sample excerpt for album The Early Years.
Read MoreThe Final Curtain
Sample excerpt for album The Final Curtain.
Read MoreLouisiana Swamp Pop Music
Sample excerpt for album Louisiana Swamp Pop Music.
Read MoreBlueberry Hill
Sample excerpt for Blueberry Hill.
Read MoreLease Say You’re Fooling
Sample excerpt for Lease Say You’re Fooling.
Read MoreWhy Can’t You
Sample excerpt for Why Can’t You.
Read MoreThe Freeze (If You Don’t Want Me To)
Sample excerpt for The Freeze (If You Don’t Want Me To).
Read MoreFeed the Flame
Sample excerpt for Feed the Flame.
Read MoreVan Broussard
Van Broussard never achieved national stardom, but he was a revered figure and a legendary musician in his home state of Louisiana. His music, a blend of rhythm & blues, rock & roll, and Cajun influences, was enthusiastically embraced by fans of the unique regional genre known as ‘swamp pop.’ With a powerful and versatile voice perfectly suited for soulful and rock tunes, backed by a band featuring horns and keyboards, his sound was both comforting and lively, packing dance floors even during slow ballads. His hits from the 1960s and ’70s can be relished on collections like ‘Early Years,’ ‘Bayou Boogie Fever,’ and ‘By Special Request.’
Born on March 29, 1937, in Prairieville, Louisiana, Van Broussard was raised in a musically inclined family as the eldest of 12 siblings. Surrounded by renowned Cajun musicians, including his great-grandfather who played fiddle for the popular radio show, the Louisiana Hayride, Broussard’s passion for music blossomed at an early age. At 10, he befriended guitarist Pete Franklin, beginning his journey to master the instrument. By 15, he was playing guitar with the Garson Gautreaux Dixieland Band, transitioning to rock & roll after impressively soloing on Elvis Presley tunes. Despite a serious accident in 1957, he persevered, forming a new band and showcasing his vocal prowess alongside his sister, Grace Broussard. In 1960, the siblings released their debut single, ‘Feel So Good,’ before Van ventured into a solo career with tracks like ‘I Can’t Complain’ and ‘Winter Wind.’
Although Van Broussard’s career didn’t skyrocket to mainstream success, his 1968 single ‘Feed the Flame’ garnered national recognition, peaking at number 49 on the charts. Despite lucrative offers from major labels, Broussard opted to stay true to his love for live performances over the spotlight of stardom. Recording for his own label, Bayou Boogie Records, and CSP Records, his singles like ‘I’ll Pay the Cost,’ ‘I Need Somebody Bad,’ and ‘If You Don’t Love Me (Why Don’t You Just Leave Me Alone)’ became Southern favorites. Alongside his band, the Bayou Boogie Band, he remained a cherished live act well into the 2010s, captivating audiences across Louisiana and neighboring states. In November 2020, after battling cardiac disease, Van Broussard passed away at the age of 83 in his Prairieville residence, leaving behind a rich musical legacy.