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”.
Blowin' In The Wind
The Browns Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Before they call him a man?
How many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
How many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they're forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
How many years can a mountain exist
Before it is washed to the sea?
How many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free?
How many times can a man turn his head,
And pretending he just doesn't see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind
How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
How many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
How many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
The answer is blowin' in the wind
In the song "Blowin' in the Wind" by The Browns, the lyrics explore a series of rhetorical questions that delve into the deeper issues of human existence, freedom, and social conscience. Bob Dylan, the songwriter behind this iconic track, uses these questions to provoke the listener's thoughts and reflect on the state of the world.
The opening verse poses questions about the journey to manhood. It asks how many roads a man must walk down before he is considered a fully grown, mature individual. This inquiry is not simply about physical paths; rather, it represents the challenges and experiences one must face to earn respect and recognition from society. Similarly, the question about the white dove sailing across seas and eventually resting on the sand symbolizes the search for peace and freedom before finding fulfillment.
The second verse focuses on time and the concept of freedom. It asks how long a mountain can exist before it succumbs to erosion and is washed away into the sea. This can be seen as a metaphor for the endurance and resilience of oppressive systems. The following line raises the issue of the duration that certain people, presumably marginalized or oppressed, have to wait before they are granted their right to be free. It criticizes the delay and emphasizes the injustice of denying individuals their basic human rights.
The third verse delves into the theme of awareness and empathy. The question of how many times a man must look up to see the sky before recognizing the beauty and wonder around him suggests a lack of awareness or appreciation for the natural world. It highlights the need for individuals to be more present and attuned to their surroundings. Similarly, the reference to the number of ears a man must have before he can hear people cry underlines the importance of empathy and recognizing the pain and suffering of others. The final question about the number of deaths required to awaken someone's understanding implies the high toll of human casualties before society acknowledges its mistakes.
In each verse, the lyricist reminds the listener that the answer to these profound questions, and ultimately to the issues of humanity, is not readily available. The "answer" is portrayed as "blowin' in the wind," suggesting its elusive and intangible nature. It suggests that the solutions to these deep-rooted problems require thoughtful reflection, introspection, and a collective effort to bring about meaningful change.
Line by Line Meaning
How many roads must a man walk down
How many different paths and experiences must a person go through in their life before society recognizes them as a mature and independent individual?
Before they call him a man?
Before society acknowledges and respects him as an adult?
How many seas must a white dove sail
How many journeys and adventures must a peaceful symbol of hope and purity undertake?
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Before she can find a place of tranquility and rest?
How many times must the cannon balls fly
How many times do we need to witness destructive conflicts and wars?
Before they're forever banned?
Before humanity realizes the futility and devastating consequences of warfare and permanently puts an end to it?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind
The solution or understanding of these questions is unpredictable and elusive, just like the wind itself.
How many years can a mountain exist
How long can a seemingly permanent and solid entity, like a mountain, endure?
Before it is washed to the sea?
Before natural forces erode and reshape it, eventually leading it to merge with the vastness of the ocean?
How many years can some people exist
How long can certain individuals endure under oppressive circumstances or without true freedom?
Before they're allowed to be free?
Before they are granted their basic human rights and given the opportunity to live without restrictions?
How many times can a man turn his head
How many instances can a person deliberately ignore or avoid facing the harsh realities and injustices of the world?
And pretending he just doesn't see?
And pretend not to notice or care about the suffering and struggles of others?
How many times must a man look up
How frequently does a person need to lift their gaze and broaden their perspective?
Before he can see the sky?
Before he can truly appreciate and understand the beauty, vastness, and interconnectedness of the world?
How many ears must one man have
How many opportunities must an individual have to listen and empathize with the voices and pleas of others?
Before he can hear people cry?
Before he can genuinely understand and acknowledge the pain and suffering of those around him?
How many deaths will it take till he knows
How many losses and tragedies must occur before he fully comprehends the devastating toll of human life?
That too many people have died?
That there have been an excessive number of casualties and victims of various forms of oppression and conflict?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind
The resolution to these profound questions lies beyond our immediate grasp and understanding, constantly shifting and elusive.
The answer is blowin' in the wind
The solutions and insights we seek are intangible and hidden, requiring us to be open-minded and receptive to the world around us.
Lyrics © CONSALAD CO., Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Maxine Russell
Thanks to John Sandiford for posting this classic. It was written by Bob Dylan. I am glad The Browns had the chance to record it on 2-8-64. We loved performing this on stage & at the Grand Ole Opry many times, & it was always well received. The words are powerful.
john sandiford
Thank you for the nice comment Maxine.
breffnipark
Lovely version !
john sandiford
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for listening
Chief`s Lief
Wow!..just Beautiful 🎶🎶🎶👍🏻💋❤🇱🇺
drbombay91765
Great version!
john sandiford
Glad you enjoyed it
Frank Howell
Great classic! Thanks John.
john sandiford
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for listening
BeMisty
Love this! Thanks, John =)