Bruce Broussard and his Roundup Boys WJBO Baton Rouge, LA

About The Artist Bruce Broussard was born in Prairieville, Louisiana. He began driving his father's cattle trucks to market when he was just 13 years old. How did he do that? He had to sit on top of two boxes to see over the hood. He was pretty good at driving that truck. Word got around and soon he'd have a crowed gathered round to just watch him park the truck. It seems one day though a gal watching him do it thought he was a "show off". Bruce didn't like the way that sounded and proceeded to find her after parking the truck. He explained to her that he felt his truck driving talents were a God-given talent he was thankful for to help his family out. As for any showmanship she felt was out of line, well, he told her she had the wrong impression. He must have gotten that young lady's attention, for the story goes, she later became Mrs. Bruce Broussard. Bruce first got interested in music when he was just ten years old. He improvised his first guitar as many a youngster may have done in those days. He took a broomstick and a cigar box to make that first instrument. But Bruce found it wasn't going to be good enough and soon had his eyes on a Stella guitar. It took some persuasive selling skills, but Bruce got his brothers and sisters to pool their allowances from picking strawberries so he could get that guitar. He soon found himself performing at school functions and picnics. Later, he formed his first band. At one picnic, he was invited to perform for a share of the proceeds from the attendance. The money he made that time convinced him there was a future for him in music. He turned his back on the cattle business and decided that radio was where he wanted to be. He found a willing radio station and his first sponsor was Red Ball Coffee. Bruce had found his new career. Bruce Broussard had a favorite spot in the hearts of country music fans in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In the middle 1950's, folks would find their way to the VFW Hall and enjoy three full hours of the "Old Country Store" that Bruce and his Roundup Boys hosted. The show would draw audiences from Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas and Tennessee as well as the local folks. The "Old Country Store" appears to have started around 1951. The show's theme song was "Watermelon On the Vine". An hour of each session was sponsored and aired over the radio each week. He had a television feature show on WAFB-TV that aired five days a week. He also had two daily radio programs back then. His weeks were then topped off with three weekly dance engagements. Billy Ray, who recorded for the OK label back then, handled the comedy bits for the group. Bob Henderson played the "hoedown fiddle" and yodeled as well, said to have earned several encores every performance. Camille Ray handled the bass fiddle and vocals as well. Danny Morgan played electric rhythm guitar. Buck Grantham got the folks tapping their feet when he kicked into "Steel Guitar Boogie". Timeline & Trivia Notes Group Members (circa 1954): Bruce Broussard, lead, guitar, vocals Bob Henderson, fiddle, vocals Camille Ray, bass fiddle, vocals Danny Morgan, electric rhythm guitar Buck Grantham, steel guitar Billy Ray, comedy Credits & Sources Mountain Broadcast and Prairie Recorder; New Series, No.3; March 1945; Mountain Broadcast Pub. Co., Inc.; New York, NY Mountain Broadcast and Prairie Recorder; New Series, No.3; March 1945; Mountain Broadcast Pub. Co., Inc.; New York, NY Cowboy Songs; No. 31; January-February 1954; American Folk Publications, Inc.; Derby, CT