“That was the start of something that culminated in a spiritual awakening for me, coinciding with my decision to go independent. Around nine years ago, I was in crisis mode spiritually, searching for something to stick my teeth into. And when my managers agreed we were ready to go independent, I saw an opportunity in this revenue stream I had never had access to before – my records,” said Marc Broussard.
Marc Broussard’s fourth volume in S.O.S. philanthropic album series is out now. S.O.S. 4: Blues for Your Soul has blues and soul classics, plus one Broussard original. Upon debut, it premiered at the top of the Billboard Blues Albums Chart in its first week. The new record also reigned at #1 on the iTunes Blues Chart and splashed across genres debuting at #8 on the Americana/Folk Album Chart and a slew of other charts: #31 Independent Albums, #37 Current Rock Albums and #38 Current digital albums. Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith bring their expertise and passion for music to the table as the producers, and other guests, Roddie Romero, Bobby Junior, JJ Grey, Eric Krasno, and Calvin Turner contribute to the efforts.
S.O.S.4: Blues For Your Soul is being sold, with a portion of proceeds going to Joe Bonamassa’s Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation and Guitar Over Guns. This Miami-based nonprofit organization supports youth rehabilitation through music and mentorship programs.
“Well, when I called up Calvin to talk to him about this particular S.O.S. album, the idea that I had to do a blues album to benefit issues related to incarceration, he suggested I call up Joe. He had been doing some horn string arrangements for Joe for the last couple of years and thought he would jump at the opportunity to work with me on this thing.” He continued, “I reached out to Joe and Josh Smith for guidance on picking songs, but they had it in mind to produce the album and put it out on Joe’s record label. It’s a fantastic partnership that wouldn’t have happened without the help of my dear friend Calvin Turner.”
Marc’s philanthropic journey began in 2005 with his support for the self-released album Bootleg to Benefit the Victims of Hurricane Katrina. Witnessing the devastation and displacement of so many people, Marc established the Momentary Setback Fund, which aimed to provide financial aid to those affected by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita n U.S.O. tour and entertain troops stationed in the Middle East.
He established the S.O.S. Foundation in 2015 to make philanthropy a permanent part of his life, using music to raise money for causes he cares about. The first two independent S.O.S. series were collections of R&B, soul, and rock classics, and 50% of the profits were donated to the City of Refuge. In 2019, he released S.O.S. III: A Lullaby Collection, aimed at a younger audience, along with his first children’s book. Proceeds from the sale of both were donated to Our Lady of The Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, LA.
Marc tells the story like this: “Well, it’s really a full-circle kind of situation, to be honest with you. It all started with conversations with my dear friend Calvin Turner over the last 25 years or so. We would debate society’s ills and play devil’s advocate for each other. At some point, Calvin challenged me on always bringing up these issues but not doing much about them.”
Marc explained that before going independent, record deals prevented him from ever really seeing any revenue generated from his albums. Now that the revenue stream was given to Marc and not top-level executives, he felt that money was better spent keeping the lights on for people that truly needed it.
He continued, “My managers thought my family was the one that needed it, but I convinced them otherwise. We had never leaned on that money before, so let’s just postpone these riches here, you know? It ain’t like we’re selling a million records over here, so let’s pump the brakes on the idea that this is gonna change anybody’s life.” Marc said. “And that’s when I thought, this is gonna be a few thousand dollars that we’re gonna be able to toss to some charitable organization. Little did I know that it would be a launchpad for a whole lot of things.”
Marc shared that the process of creating these albums allowed him to stretch into new genres and dive deep into them, which changed him musically—a way for him to release an album after being released from a major label. However, the project’s success inspired him to continue making music with a purpose. It led to the founding of the S.O.S. Foundation.
“I would suggest. That not only have I found purpose, but in the immediacy of after deciding to take this path, there was a period of about three to four years of what I would call unsustainable elation,” said Marc. “A sense of peace and joy that I didn’t even know was possible and I didn’t think was sustainable because I just kept waiting for the shoe to drop.”
Marc tries to make it as easy as possible for people to get involved in charitable causes while still enjoying music. It’s a win-win situation. People get to listen to great music while supporting the causes they believe in.
“Me and blues are real tight. I’ve been in the lab all week working on some new material for a blues album that I’m really hoping Joe and Josh will jump on for the next thing. I’m definitely way more excited about doing the blues album with them. I’m very close to finishing an original Soul record, too, so it’s kind of a race to the finish line right now.”
In the past, Marc says he was obsessed with girls, and musical ambitions was low, pretty obtainable, “I was a decent singer, and my dad was a very talented musician himself. I was pretty sure that I would follow my dad’s footsteps and get a regular gig, playing music on the weekends for weddings and office parties. It wasn’t until I was opening for Maroon 5 at 20 years old that I was even aware that I’d be able to do it full-time.”
“I’ve been with my high school sweetheart since I was 17 years old, and we didn’t get married until we were pregnant with our third child. I was definitely not the best boyfriend for many, many years. I was a real terror. But we’ve been holding steady for quite a while now.”
Marc has a blog titled “Loving Sonya” which shares the story of their family, consisting of four children – one of whom is already independent while the other three still live at home. The blog is made up of three parts and delves into the less-than-ideal circumstances surrounding their family life. Despite the less-than-ideal situation, Marc is open and honest about their experiences, highlighting the reality of their situation.
And Marc and his band came to Colorado last year: “I remember I had some film lights that had some effects. And one of the effects is the Police effect. Some of the guys in the band wanted to get some stuff from a dispensary, so while they were inside, I hid the lights inside the van, and once we got back on the road, I triggered it and pranked them that we were getting pulled over. It was a couple of their first times ever being in a dispensary.”
What can you expect from this tour? Marc says,
“Be on the lookout for my album, and bring your dancing shoes.”
Colorado:
FRIDAY, MAY 12
Doors: 6:00 pm – Show 7:00 pm
132 Laporte Ave
Fort Collins, CO 80524
SATURDAY, MAY 13
Doors: 7:00 pm – Show: 8:00 pm
3263 S Broadway
Englewood, CO 80113
