by Chris TrueOriginally from the South -- Mississippi, to be exact -- soul and R&B singer Noel Gourdin honed his skills in Brockton, MA, and by the age of 24 scored a deal with Sony and had his first album in stores. His first exposure to the vocal arts came in church, and he was introduced to the larger canon of soul music by his father (who introduced him to the classics, such as Otis Redding) and his brother (who turned him on to the sounds of new jack swing). As a high-school student in the Boston-neighboring Brockton, Gourdin performed in talent shows and did work (and shows) for the Boys and Girls Club. With his work as a performer and role model to draw from, Gourdin signed a management deal with Stalin Entertainment in 2002. A 2004 request by Kay Gee to have Gourdin contribute a track to the soundtrack of The Cookout (the song "Family Reunion" was Gourdin's contribution) led to Gourdin exploring new musical territory, which would result in a large portfolio of songs ready to go. A meeting with Sony Urban in 2005 led to a summer showcase, which in turn led to a deal for the singer to start recording for the label. His debut, After My Time, was released in 2008.