Kent Broussard made history in August when he became the oldest freshman in LSU’s Golden Band from Tiger Land, by a long shot. The 66-year-old former liquor company executive suddenly became a sensation, being featured on “Good Morning America,” “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” and other national broadcasts.
Now “Tiger Tuba Kent” will appear in the Morpheus Mardi Gras parade. And he won’t even have to tote his heavy brass tuba along the 4-mile route. In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the krewe announced that Broussard will serve as the parade grand marshal, waving to crowds from the comfort of a float.
Broussard, a native of LaPlace, had played in his high school and college bands back in the 1970s. But he always nursed the ambition of joining the mighty LSU Tiger Marching Band. When he reached retirement age, instead of picking up a fly rod or a golf club, Broussard bought a $3,000 tuba, moved to Baton Rouge, enrolled at the university, and tried out for the renowned band — successfully.
Broussard, who realized a lifelong dream, is an ideal grand marshal for the Morpheus parade, which is dedicated to the Greek god of dreams. Formed in 2000, the Morpheus parade is a 24-float procession that follows the Hermes and Krewe d’Etat parades starting at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, on the Uptown route…