Recording Academy Member Lee Ann Broussard

A MUSICIAN’S ADVOCATE

Lee Ann Broussard has been a champion for musicians for decades, but never did she imagine her love of music and commitment to helping artists succeed would lead to becoming a member of the Recording Academy. “The phone call is what every musician dreams about, a call from the Recording Academy,” Broussard exclaimed. “Throughout my life, even as a young child, I believed music was the healer. As my career progressed, I declared that as a tenant in the work I do. I will do all in my power to help the musician. I want them to know, I have your back,” she said.

Members of the Recording Academy, the organization behind the Grammy’s, consists of music professionals from a wide range of backgrounds, genres, and disciplines who work to improve the lives of musicians and keep the culture alive and thriving. “The Grammys is not just about naming the best song or the best new artist. It’s a higher calling of the work I’ve been doing for years,” Broussard explained. “Our job is to make sure that our treasured musicians have what they need to make it in life, to be a working musician, to have tools, laws, and resources so that the music industry can continue to be rich, educational, sustainable, and healthy for generations to come.”

Broussard’s commitment, as publicist and owner of Autumn Lee Productions, is helping her clients succeed. Among others, her clients include Louisiana’s LeRoux and Chapel Hart, the dynamic trio that captured America’s hearts and catapulted to stardom after an “America’s Got Talent” performance.

Broussard’s advocacy kicked into high gear when the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly stopped venue and festival gigs. A call for help to the Recording Academy, she said, was nearly tearful. “I asked her what resources we could tap into to help our musicians who were now out of work. They gave us tangible things that we could do and resources we could plug into at that moment.”

As a Recording Academy member, Broussard explained that being part of the Grammy selection and voting process is paramount in putting Louisiana on the map. “It isn’t just about Cajun or Zydeco music. We go out and we listen to all our eclectic musicians. You can now find our Americana, roots, blues, R&B, and gospel greats being considered for nominations. That’s a big deal. People forget we truly are a melting pot of influences here and that shows up in our various genres of music.” R

Meet the FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM

Alicia Brattin grew up in South Louisiana and fell in love with reading. While in high school, she met an English teacher who encouraged her writing, so she picked up a pen and never put it down. She has a B.A. in English Education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Obsessed with all things Louisiana, literary, romantic, and gothic, she spends her days researching Louisiana history, painting, writing poetry, and working on her Cypress Mills novels. She lives with her husband, son, and two adorable cats.