PHOTO COURTESY OF TONYBROWNENTERPRISES WEBSITE
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHARLES WHITFIELD
Charles Whitfield (second from left) and friends Considered a “founding father,” of the alternative-Americana sound, Brown’s entrance into music came as a pianist for Dixie Melody Boys, followed by the Oak Ridge Boys, J.D. Sumner and the Stamps, and as the last pianist for Elvis Presley, spending three years in the TCB Band—with an appearance on the “Jungle Room Sessions,” and Presley’s final album “Moody Blue.” Afterward, he spent the late-1970s backing for Emmylou Harris as part of the Hot Band; along with hiredgun session work and tours with Rodney Crowell and Rosanne Cash. He’s served as President of MCA Nashville (where he founded the MCA Masters Series) co-founded Universal South Records; and produced a number of records for artists like Steve Earl, Nanci Griffith, Vince Gill, Wynonna Judd, Brooks & Dunn, Patty Loveless, Rodney Crowell, Marty Stuart, Trisha Yearwood, Shirley Caesar, Jimmy Buffett, Sara Evans, Tracy Byrd, and Pat Green. Along with a whopping 19 albums with George Strait, 13 with Reba McEntire, and three with Lyle Lovett. Outside of country music, Brown dabbled in jazz circles, producing albums for Larry Carlton, Edgar Meyer, Jerry Douglas, Acoustic Alchemy, and John Jarvis. While
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also working with Barbra Streisand, Billy Joel, Joe Cocker, and Lionel Richie. Overall he’s produced more than 100 number one singles (and albums that have sold more than 100 million copies). A winner of multiple Grammy Awards, (along with nine certificates for producing Grammy-winning singles) Brown also boasts ten awards from the Country Music Association, seven from the Academy Of Country Music, and an array of accolades from Nashville organizations. He was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Awards from the 2008 Americana Music Association; and holds membership in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. “As I look back on my life, being raised solely on Southern Gospel music in North Carolina heavily influenced me,” Brown noted. “Elvis’ favorite music was Southern Gospel so that’s how I got my job with him. As I got older I was exposed to Rock n Roll, Folk, Country, Jazz, and all kinds of music — it was a whole new world and I was a kid again! But the fact is, my Southern Gospel music roots still remain my main influence.“ Turning to his upcoming award, “it’s completely overwhelming to receive acknowledgement from the Music Hall of
Tony Brown Fame in the place you were born,” he said. “This achievement award has no genre limit. Receiving the award at this point in my life is totally out of the blue clear sky and completely blows me away.” Roberta Flack will join Brown as a “Lifetime Achievement Award” recipient for 2021. Current class inductions from beyond the Triad include: Jermaine Dupri, Robert Moog, the Briarhoppers, Donald
Lawrence, Michael T. Maudlin, and the Squirrel Nut Zippers. The 2021 NC Music Hall of Fame ceremony begins with a red carpet walk, followed by live performances and the installation of inductees on Oct. 21 at the historic Gem Theatre in Kannapolis. ! KATEI CRANFORD is a Triad music nerd who enjoys spotlighting artists and events.
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