In 1991, Tab Benoit was hired by Justice Records to contribute songs to a compilation record called STRIKE A DEEP CHORD: "Guitarist for the Homeless." The record featured Dr. John, Odetta, Gatemouth Brown, Sue Foley, Ronnie Earl, the late Johnny Copeland, and Tab Benoit all recorded tracks for the project . The record's proceeds were to benefit Houston's homeless, the city where the label had it's offices. Tab recorded two tracks "Nice and Warm" and "Bone Pickin" for the record and was immediately signed to Justice Records.
The very next year in 1992 these two tracks would lead Tab's national debut recording and Tab became the break-out roots Artist of the decade. Radio began playing his music on the same commercial stations that were playing the popular acts of the day such as The Dave Matthew's Band, Spin Doctors, Blues Traveler, Big Head Todd and the Monsters. It was the first time since the death of the Stevie Ray Vaughn that a new roots Artist was receiving heavy rotation on commercial Rock radio stations across the country.
Since his debut in 1992 Tab has recorded with Junior Wells, Willie Nelson, Billy Joe Shaver, James Cotton, Cyril Neville, Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Henry Gray, and Jimmy Hall of Wet Willie to name a few and now fifteen solo recordings, three Grammy nominations, and a budding movie career later it may be his work as a wetlands activist that he will most be remembered but until then it is his rich tone, soulful voice, and seeped with tradition song-writing that makes him Louisiana's #1 Roots music export.
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