1) The Browns were … Read Full Bio ↴There are three bands under the name The Browns.
1) The Browns were an American family singing group from Pine Bluff, Arkansas made up of Jim Ed Brown and his sisters, Maxine Brown and Bonnie Brown.
Country music singers, they sang individually at rural venues until 1954 when Maxine Brown, and younger brother Jim Ed, signed a record contract as a singing duo. Eighteen-year-old Bonnie joined the group in 1955, and the following year they were signed by Chet Atkins, RCA Victor Records producer in Nashville, Tennessee. The family trio recorded several songs that met with only modest success until 1959, when their 45 rpm folk single called "The Three Bells" was a no. 1 hit on both the Billboard Hot 100 pop music and country music charts. Based on a song called "Les trois cloches," the song was originally a hit in France for both the group Les Compagnons de la chanson and Édith Piaf.
The Browns followed up the success of "The Three Bells" with "Scarlet Ribbons" and "The Old Lamplighter," recordings that also did very well on both the pop and country music charts. With an international following, The Browns toured Europe extensively and recorded further moderate successes on the country music charts. In 1963, they became part of the Grand Ole Opry.
In 1965, Jim Ed Brown began working on a solo career, and in 1967 the trio formally disbanded. Jim Ed continued to record for RCA and had a number of country hits starting in 1965 while still with The Browns. In 1967, he released his first solo top 10 with "Pop A Top" which became his signature song. In 1970, he gained a crossover hit with "Morning" which went to number 4 on the country charts and number 47 on the pop charts. Other hits for Jim Ed included "Angel's Sunday"(1971), "Southern Loving"(1973), "Sometime Sunshine"(1974) and "It's That Time Of Night"(1974). In 1976, he released a string of major duet hits with Helen Cornelius starting with the #1 hit "I Don't Wanna Have To Marry You". Other hits for the duo included "Saying Hello, Saying I Love You, Saying Goodbye"(1977), "Born Believer"(1977), "I'll Never Be Free"(1978), "If The World Ran Out Of Love Tonight"(1978), "You Don't Bring Me Flowers"(1979), "Lying In Love With You"(1979), "Fools"(1979), "Morning Comes Too Early"(1980), and "Don't Bother To Knock"(1981).
Jim Ed has also hosted the syndicated country shows Jim Ed Brown's Country Place, and Nashville On The Road. On The Nashville Network he hosted the talent show You Can Be A Star, and the travel show Going Our Way which featured his wife, Becky, where they went traveling to different places in an RV.
Maxine Brown briefly had a solo career during the late 1960's releasing an album and single for Chart Records titled "Sugar Cane Country".
In 2006, the Browns reunited to perform "The Old Lamplighter" and "The Three Bells" for the PBS special, Country Pop Legends.
2) A horror-themed punk band. Formed in 1998, they played consistently for a year and a half around Western Canada, opening for The New Bomb Turks, Nashville Pussy, AFI, and Good Riddance. In the spring of 1998 the band self-released their first album "Getting Jiggy with The Browns". At this time, the line up was much different; Charlie - Guitar & Vocals, Emmett - Guitar, Leroy - Bass, Freddy - Drums and Lucy - Keyboards.
During the summer of 1998 Lucy and Emmet left the band, Freddy moved to Guitar and a new drummer named ODB began performing live shows, a new keyboard player was not sought out. Also around this time Charlie gave up his guitar duties and focused solely on lead vocals.
In 1999 Meter Records (Canada) released "Greatest Hits Volume One." Shortly after the release The Motherfucking Browns played what they said was their "final" show (summer of 1999) much to the dismay of both Meter Records and the Western Canadian music scene.
In 2000 Middle Man Records (USA) released a split 7" record with The Motherfucking Browns and John Q. Public. The Motherfucking Browns contributed a song from their 1999 album; "Lady, Stay Dead!" alongside a cover of "Bullet" a cover by the influential horror-rock band The Misfits.
2003 saw the release of Tony Hawk's Underground, video game for all major gaming platforms. Alongside bands like Kiss and Social Distortion, The Motherfucking Browns contributed a censored version of their song: "American Werewolf in Calgary". Tony Hawk's Underground went on to win several awards as a groundbreaking video game in 2003.
With the success of Tony Hawk's Underground a new website for the band was announced as well as a new myspace site. Both sites confirmed The Motherfucking Browns were performing with a new line-up: Charlie - Vocals, Eddie - Guitar, James - Bass, Joe - Drums.
2004 saw the release of "And Now the Screaming Starts!" on Meter Records (Canada). After much publicity, and several live shows in the Mid West USA, Horror High Records released their single "The Scream on Halloween" on their "Prom Queen Massacre" compilation, featuring other horror-rock bands such as Blitzkid and Calabrese.
After nearly three years of no activity Meter Records reported that The Motherfucking Browns have returned with the original line up that played on "Greatest Hits Volume One" (except ODB who had since passed away, and replaced by Chow Yun). In the fall of 2007 The Motherfucking Browns played a triumphant "comeback" show in their hometown of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Performing alongside fellow horror rockers Forbidden Dimension. In an interview with Beatroute Magazine a new album for 2008 was announced.
The band is known for their abrasive stage shows, wearing Balaclava ski masks on stage, and songs primarily about horror movies. Charlie Brown is also a contributing writer for horror website www.killerfilm.com
"The best band in the fucking world, you fuckers!"
3) The Browns, a gospel-influenced band, exude excitement on the stage and offer a life-changing experience to all who hear them. The Browns deliver the powerful message of the gospel through word and song that engage audiences of all ages.
The Browns have been touring across the United States since the group began its full-time ministry nine years ago. The heralded group began on the local and state level and has expanded and grown into a national touring group.
This year The Browns received the prestigious honor of Top 10 Mixed Group of the Year for the second year in a row. The Browns will be attending the Singing News Magazine fan awards at the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, KY. “It started out with the Singing News magazine fans voting for the top ten,” Michaela said. “We had no idea we were up for this ward until we got an e-mail to tell us. We were up with some wonderful groups. This honor is very rewarding coming from the fans and knowing that we’ve touched their hearts or ministered to them in some way.” Previously The Browns had been awarded the Top Horizon Group of the Year for 3 consecutive years.
The group has finished their newest recording at the Sound Kitchen and Daywind Studios in Nashville, TN with Grammy award winning producer, Bubba Smith. ”A New Day” will be the Browns 10th national CD release. The newest single on the album has just climbed to #25 on the national radio charts. It is written by group member Jessica, and her fiance, Nick Trammell intitled “It’s A God Thing”.
A Rusty Old Halo
The Browns Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A rusty old halo, skinny white cloud
Second-hand wings full of patches.
Rusty old halo, skinny white cloud,
A robe that's so wooly it scratches.
I know a man rich as a king
Yet he won't give his neighbor a thing
He'll get to heaven and here what he'll gets.
Chorus:
A rusty old halo, skinny white cloud
Second-hand wings full of patches.
Rusty old halo, skinny white cloud,
A robe that's so wooly it scratches.
--- Instrumental ---
While here on earth shine like the stars,
Brighten the corner where ever you are
Doing your best the best you can do.
Then you'll be sure that there's nothing to do.
Chorus:
A rusty old halo, skinny white cloud
Second-hand wings full of patches.
Rusty old halo, skinny white cloud,
A robe that's so wooly it scratches.
A robe that's so wooly it scratches...
The Browns’ song “A Rusty Old Halo” is a playful and witty critique of the vanity and self-righteousness of some religious people, especially those who are wealthy and fail to show kindness to their neighbors. The chorus describes the appearance of the singer's halo and reveals that it is rusty, his wings are full of patches, and his robe is scratchy. The imagery suggests that this individual may not have lived a virtuous life, yet they still expect to be welcomed into heaven.
The first verse sets up the critique, introducing a rich man who refuses to share with his neighbor. The singer then asserts that despite the man's wealth, he will not be able to buy his way into heaven. The second verse provides advice on how to live a righteous life, encouraging listeners to shine like stars and brighten the corner where they are, rather than feeling entitled or superior.
Overall, the song's message is both cautionary and hopeful, warning against self-righteousness and praising the power of humility and kindness.
Line by Line Meaning
A rusty old halo, skinny white cloud
The singer is describing the appearance of someone's halo and cloud in heaven, noting that they look worn and patched up.
Second-hand wings full of patches.
The wings the person is wearing in heaven are also old and used, and have visible patches on them.
Rusty old halo, skinny white cloud,
The singer repeats the description of the person's worn halo and cloud to reinforce the image in the listener's mind.
A robe that's so wooly it scratches.
The person's robe in heaven is made of a rough wool material that irritates the singer, emphasizing the shabby nature of their existence.
I know a man rich as a king
The singer is referencing a wealthy person they know, who has the means to help others but chooses not to.
Yet he won't give his neighbor a thing
Despite his wealth, the man is selfish and refuses to offer any assistance to those who may need it.
If they will call I'll make a bet
The singer is confident that even if the wealthy man were to call on them for help, he would turn them away and prioritize his own comfort.
He'll get to heaven and here what he'll gets.
The implication is that the wealthy man's selfishness will ultimately result in a less impressive existence in heaven, with a worn-out halo and shabby robes.
While here on earth shine like the stars,
The singer encourages listeners to make the most of their time on earth and strive to be a positive influence to others.
Brighten the corner where ever you are
By making a difference in small ways wherever you go, you can bring light and positivity to those around you.
Doing your best the best you can do.
The singer reiterates the importance of striving to do your personal best to make a positive impact on the world.
Then you'll be sure that there's nothing to do.
By putting in effort to spread love and kindness in the world, the singer suggests that you can be content knowing you did your part in making the world a better place.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
randy francis
The Browns' harmony is especially fluid and warm on this cut, among my top faves by this group of Hall of Famers.
john sandiford
Thanks for listening Randy
Jesi B
ahh, I remember listening to this in the '60's. It's good to know the Lord doesn't have second rate anything waiting for those he loves. That wouldn't be true love. He is pure and true. :)
john sandiford
Thanks for listening Jesi
Doug Montgomery
When I was a kid I heard a blind street musician, who sang gospel music, play a guitar and sing this--about 1960. One morning I was dreaming I heard the song and I woke up crying. Many years later I looked for the song on Google; and I found that I had been wrong about the song: It did not describe some poor soul who was unfortunate throughout his life on earth and then destined to spend eternity so shabbily caparisoned, but a stingy rich man who was condemned much like the rich man in the parable in the gospel of Luke (Chapter 16).
john sandiford
Thanks for listening Doug
Naomi W
Love this version.
Naomi W
John, I have loved the Browns since way back in the sixties. I would listen to them as I did housework as a
young married gal. ;-)
john sandiford
Glad you enjoyed the song and thanks for listening Naomi
betty stephenson
wow loved this one