Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriel Boudreau
Hi Gabriel, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Well,
I started in 2009 writing songs after my friend Sgt Borjas was killed in Afghanistan. I was in the US ARMY RESERVE in a Civil Affairs Unit. The songs were a way to cope with his loss and also a way to beat a war drum for US personal that were heading to Afghanistan to fight the war. Soldiers started playing my songs and emailing me asking me to do more. So I did.
I grew up in the Los Angeles area and was introduced to rap and hip=hop when it first came out. I was one of those suburban kids signing along with NWA and Dr. Dre! That’s where I got my inspiration for my music.
I remember talking to my dad about it and he didn’t understand why I would like the music and I explained to him, “Dad rap means Rhythm And Poetry. These guys are talking about their stories in ways rock n roll has never touched on.” He understood that but never liked the medium. But it has taken me to places I never thought were possible.
I deployed to Afghanistan in 2010-2011 and after my return wrote more songs and came out with my first album “Reflections – The Hustlers Story”. It didn’t do that good commercially because it was really hard to advertise in those days. Then my next album came out with more songs. It was called “Get That Money In The Bank – Got To Get That Fed” and it was a commercial success. That album is still out now today with multiple Gold Records on it including “Ode To Johnny Cash – The Afghanistan Blues” which has done very well over the years.
But the break thru was that there were three tracks on the album all centered on the Military. The NCO Creed, The Soldiers Creed, and The Airborne Creed.
These tracks did very well and soldiers were asking if I could make them CDs with just those three tracks so I did one better and did a full training album for military soldiers called “DoD ARMY – Creeds, Songs, and Cadences” and it was a smash hit!
This came out in 2015 and soldiers from everywhere were emailing and calling me and thanking me for helping them pass their different boards or basic training.
Next came another military training album called “DoD NAVY – Values Honor Courage and Commitment” and it took off training Navy personnel
I had request for an Airforce album and a Marine album but I figured Airfare personnel are really smart and can figure this out on their own and I didn’t do the Marines because that is sacred territory and I didn’t want to do them wrong. So I left it at Army/Navy the two largest branches in the military.
I started working on a followup album to Get That Money In The Bank and never finished it and had some issues and had to sell my house and move back to CA for a few years. I was actually going to stop making music then my fiancé heard my music on her phone by accident and encouraged me to start writing again.
I linked up with a producer named Reggie from Los Angeles and we released a single called “Afghan Girls School Reopened” this year 2024, my first music since 2014 Get That Money In The Bank. It didn’t top charts but my few remaining fans who heard it liked it so I wrote an entire album called “War Stories, Vol 1″ which has done amazing since releasing on July 4, 2024!
One of our songs was featured on a major playlist on Spotify and it caught fire Santa Clause Special Operator”. This is a meme song about Santa and folks love it!
My latest single as of this writing is “Because Tacos” another meme themed song about our favorite food Tacos here in San Antonio and all around the world! I am happy to say that it has been out for a little over 2 weeks and has done very well. I’m very proud of the hard word and success our music has garnered this year. I say we because even though I am a Solo act delivering the vocals Reggie is producing the killer beats for me and my small team gives me input on what they like or don’t like about the songs! We’re a team!
I create all the songs here in San Antonio, TX in my little studio for the world to hear! The goal is to make music people enjoy and want to listen to over and over.
Gabriel Boudreau
Sgt Boudreau – Artist Name
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Oh heck no. I’ve had people tell me that I was trash. People in my inner circle sabotage my music because they were jealous. I’ve overcome a stroke that I had in Afghanistan brain damage the list goes on and on.
My dad was my number one fan and he passed away last year (2023) and it made it harder to have someone to bounce ideas off of.
I’ve been laughed at (not the songs) cursed at, and who know’s what else but I’ve always “Held my head high, DRIVE ON” mentality. I may not be the best song writer in the world but I’m not the worst either and I’m always trying to get better.
The biggest hurdle was when Spotify unexpectedly removed my military albums from the US catalog. That really hurt as my fans had no way to listen to the things they needed and they were angry at me! I thus figured it out but it took some hustle to get back on in the US.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Well I work in the music industry now as I am retired from the Military and commercial driving. 100% of my focus is on music etc. I’m known as Sgt Boudreau from my military days (medically retired in 2017) and I am oddly known for my time as an RC Car Racer.
What do I do? I make songs about events and things that happened in my life. I am a creator. Creating nothing from a sheet of paper.
I was also known as one of the best Civil Affairs and PSYOP operators in USACAPOC(A) for my entire career in the military. I spent all 11 years in the Army in Special Operations.
I’m most proud of my platinum award from Spotify of “DoD Army The NCO Creed” at least in music. I am also proud that I went to Afghanistan and kicked a little ass while others were scared to go and fight our enemies.
What sets me apart? My heart, and determination to complete a task. If I have a goal I will keep going until I get to that goal. I will NEVER quit, I will NEVER surrender.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Advice for those just starting out? Yes find someone who has success in what you are doing and try to work with them in any way you can. Don’t get discouraged if things don’t happen right away. KEEP GOING. Move one foot in front of the other. Life is not a sprint it’s a marathon so whatever doesn’t happen today can happen tomorrow.
I wish I knew more about music marketing when I started out. I thought that I could just tell a few friends and everything was done…no no no. Study your marketing materials before you start out.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sikmonierecords.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/gabe.boudreau
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/gabe.boudreau
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sgtboudreau
- Other: https://linktr.ee/sgtboudreau
