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”.
The Church in the Wildwood
The Browns Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No lovelier spot in the dale;
No place is so dear to my childhood,
As the little brown church in the vale.
Chorus:
Come to the church in the wildwood,
Oh, come to the church in the dale,
As the little brown church in the vale.
How sweet on a clear, Sabbath morning,
To list to the clear ringing bell;
Its tones so sweetly are calling,
Oh, come to the church in the vale.
Chorus:
Come to the church in the wildwood,
Oh, come to the church in the dale,
No spot is so dear to my childhood,
As the little brown church in the vale...
"The Church in the Wildwood" by The Browns is a nostalgic and heartfelt song that reflects on the deep emotional connection the singer has to a small church nestled in the valley and wildwood. The lyrics convey a sense of reverence and fondness for this particular church, emphasizing its significance in the singer's childhood memories.
The opening lines describe the physical location of the church, emphasizing its beauty by stating that there is no lovelier spot in the entire dale. This creates an image of tranquility and natural serenity, suggesting that the church stands out not only for its physical beauty but also for the peacefulness it provides amidst the surrounding wildwood.
The chorus encapsulates the core message of the song and serves as a sort of invitation. It urges listeners to come to the church in both the wildwood and the dale, reinforcing the idea that no other place holds the same level of emotional significance as this little brown church from the singer's past. By repeating the phrase "No spot is so dear to my childhood," the chorus highlights how this place has left an indelible mark on the singer's heart and reminds listeners of the universal appeal and timeless nature of cherished childhood memories.
The second verse evokes a sense of nostalgia and tranquility associated with a clear Sabbath morning. The ringing bell symbolizes tradition and spirituality, inviting listeners to pause and listen to its sweet, resonant tones. It conveys a feeling of peace and invites all to join in worship and community at the church in the vale. The verse emphasizes the gentle and soothing nature of the bell, suggesting that it brings solace and a sense of belonging to those who hear it.
Ultimately, "The Church in the Wildwood" reflects on the power of a physical place to hold significant emotional weight and the lasting impact it can have on one's memories and sense of connection. The lyrics capture a deep appreciation for the simple beauty and tranquility found in this small church, highlighting its importance as a sanctuary for worship and a symbol of cherished childhood experiences. The emotional resonance of the song lies in its ability to evoke a strong sense of nostalgia and the timeless allure of one's formative years.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a church in the valley by the wildwood,
In the serene and natural surroundings of the valley, there stands a church embraced by the wildwood.
No lovelier spot in the dale;
There is no more beautiful location in the entire dale.
No place is so dear to my childhood,
No other place holds such sentimental value from my childhood.
As the little brown church in the vale.
This affectionate attachment can only be attributed to the little brown church in the vale.
Come to the church in the wildwood,
I invite you to join me at the church located in the wildwood.
Oh, come to the church in the dale,
Oh, please come to the church situated in the peaceful dale.
No spot is so dear to my childhood,
To my childhood, no other location holds such significance.
As the little brown church in the vale.
That special place is none other than the little brown church in the vale.
How sweet on a clear, Sabbath morning,
On a clear morning, specifically on the peaceful Sabbath day, how delightful it is.
To list to the clear ringing bell;
To listen attentively to the pleasant sound of the bell ringing clearly.
Its tones so sweetly are calling,
The tones of the bell are calling with a tender sweetness,
Oh, come to the church in the vale.
Oh, come and be a part of the community gathered at the church in the vale.
Come to the church in the wildwood,
I extend another invitation to visit the church surrounded by the wildwood.
Oh, come to the church in the dale,
Please, come and experience the church situated in the serene dale.
No spot is so dear to my childhood,
Of all the places, my childhood holds no other location in such high regard.
As the little brown church in the vale...
Just like the little brown church in the vale, this is a place deeply cherished by my past.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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Judy Oram
I had this song for my husband's funeral. I play it on my piano. Beautiful song
Maxine Russell
Its strange how many still remember this old song. Thank you John. This song if from "The Brown Church Hymnal", our first religious LP for RCA. (Maxine Brown)
David Oickle
Maxine Russell I had the pleasure of meeting Jim Ed at the Jim Reeves Museum many years ago. Thank you for your talent from a fan in Canada.
Sharon Geall
One of my favourite songs and dad love this song so much. He loved country music as much as I did. The Browns was one of our very favourite group!!
john sandiford
@Sharon Geall Thanks for listening Sharon
Finn-Fredrik Lange
THIS is timeless wonderful music performed by outstanding singers AND IT WILL never be forgotten! Great memories!❤️❤️❤️
john sandiford
Glad you enjoyed the song and thanks for listening
Nancy White
Love this song with all the Browns . They just sing it so beautiful
m b
Nancy White b
john sandiford
Thanks for listening Nancy