Timmy Broussard

 Tim Broussard was born on March 24, 1961, to Betty Jean (Sonnier) and Willie Broussard of Iowa, Louisiana. He grew up with siblings Martin "Marty" ( a very notable musician himself ), Christine, Kauchia, Sharon, and Sherman. Tim began his musical journey at the age of 10 and by the age of 12 had mastered playing the accordion. He played music for 53 plus years starting with the influence of his father. Tim has a son D'Artagnan 'Tag" Pruitt who plays bass currently. At the age of 14, Tim on accordion and his brother Marty on steel guitar, joined their first band playing with Wallace Derouen and The Cajun Ramblers. In 1977 Wallace left the band to join Joe Bonsall who was returning to the band scene after recovery of a massive heart attack. The band subsequently changed the band's name to Cajun Playboys. During that time the band consisted of members Tim, Marty, Garland Domingue on drums, Gus Corbello on fiddle, Eugene Broussard on bass, who was later replaced by John Dale Hebert, then Mark Leger. The group played throughout the Southwest Louisiana region at local clubs as well as Festival Acadiens et Creoles in Lafayette. Soon after forming they began a regular show performing every Saturday night, every other Sunday, and every New Year's Eve at the Rodair Club in Port Acres, Texas. The owner at the time Joe Thibodeaux would not let the band play at first due to Tim and Marty being underage. He finally was coaxed to give them a try and liked their sound. The group recorded two 45rpm records at Modern Sound Studio in Crowley for T-Bruce Broussard's Cajun Jamboree label and one 8-track tape with Howard Hebert's HMP label. In 1983 the group dissolved with Tim and Marty leaving to play with the likes of Wayne Toups, Tracy Byrd, and Mark Chesnutt at different periods. By the time Tim became an adult, the passion to be a musician took. Not only had he mastered the accordion he became a renowned bass player in high demand. He travelled with Wayne Toups, Mark Chesnutt, band called The New Sound, and Chris Miller & Bayou Roots. He also played with other bands including Algie Breaux and The Buccaneers, The Clear Roads Band, and Charles Mann. Performances with other notable musicians include Tracy Byrd, Gary Allen, Charlie Daniels, Willie Nelson, Sammy Kershaw, Belton Richard, Jackie Callier, Abe and Joe Manuel, George Jones, Nathan Abshire, Jerry Devillier, Delbert McClinton, Clay Walker, Aaron Istre, among others. Tim has recorded on numerous projects, including his own band with songs such as: "My Son Calls Another Man Daddy", "Lacassine Special", "I'll Be Lonely", "Lafayette Playboys Special", and Willie's Two-Step",  the hit song "Walk Of Life "with Charles Mann, songs " Gonna Get A Life", "and platinum hit record " Little Too Late" by Mark Chesnutt, which garnered  and Charlie Daniels "Fais Do-Do", as well  as performing on various projects with Charles Mann, John Dale Hebert, Wayne Toups, Charlie Daniels, Mark Chesnutt, The LA Band. and Chris Miller and Bayou Roots. Tim has played countless venues including Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Academy of Country Music Awards Show, The Tonight Show, the New Orleans Jazz Fest, etc. He performed for President George H.W. Bush, President Bill Clinton's first inauguration, and President George W. Bush. Tim was presented numerous awards for his musical talent including Best Song With the Accordion for the "Accordion Players Waltz" in 1992 at the LeCajun Awards banquet put on annually by the Cajun French Music Association. The recording featured John Dale Hebert-Tim Broussard and The LA Band. In 2004, he was inducted into the CFMA Lake Charles Chapter's Hall Of Fame. In 2018 he was inducted into the CFMA National Hall of Fame in Eunice, LA. Tim is a notable example of a musician who played multiple instruments having applied his creativity into different genres and patterns. Being the best musician he could be was important to him. Tim though never forgotten his Cajun heritage and was very proud of it. Like the words in his song Accordion Players Waltz, "as musicians, sometimes we play music that is different, but we are still Cajun; born Cajun and will die Cajun." His sister Christine provided this from his youthful personal diary where he wrote " I thank God for my gifts and talents and look forward to Him using them, I pray He uses me too." Timmy passed away on December 13, 2024, but his spirit lives on. On August 15th, 2025 he will posthumously receive the prestigious Heritage Award, which is presented by the Cajun French Music Association in conjunction with the
LeCajun Awards banquet in Rayne, Louisiana. *** A special thank you for those who contributed heavily to his story including author Ron Yule, the CFMA Lake Charles Chapter Hall Of Fame, Aaron Istre and especially his sister Christine Broussard Doucet for providing a generous amount of information plus photos. **** Dedicated to the Broussard Family. Composed and written by Neal P Granger