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”.
They Call The Wind Maria
The Browns Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For wind and rain and fire
The rain is Tess, the fire is Joe
And they call the wind Maria
Maria flows the stars around
Since the clouds are flying
Maria makes the mountains sound
Maria, Maria
They call the wind Maria
Before I knew Maria's name
Heard her wails and whining
I had a girl and she had me
And the sun was always shining
And then one day I left my girl
Left her far behind me
Now I'm so lost, so dark, no, lost
Not even God can find me
Maria, Maria
They call the wind Maria
Out here they've got a name for rain
Wind and fire only
But when you're lost and all alone
There ain't no name for lonely
Now I'm a lost and lonely man
Without the stars to guide me
Maria blowed her love to me
I need her here beside me
Maria, Maria
They call the wind Maria
"They Call The Wind Mariah" by The Browns tells the story of a character who finds solace and comfort in the natural elements of wind, rain, and fire. The lyrics reveal that the wind is personified as Maria, while the rain is called Tess and the fire is named Joe. The song suggests that these natural forces have a significant impact on the singer's life and emotions.
The first verse implies that in this particular place, wind, rain, and fire are given human names, indicating the significance and power these elements hold. Maria, the wind, is described as someone who controls the movement of the stars and creates a sound in the mountains akin to people in their last moments. This portrayal of Maria suggests a certain mystique and authority associated with the wind.
The second verse introduces a personal connection to Maria, indicating that the singer had a relationship with someone named Maria. There was happiness during this period, symbolized by the sun always shining. However, something happened that led the singer to leave Maria, resulting in a sense of being lost and without guidance. The lyrics convey a deep loneliness and despair, suggesting that not even God can help or find the singer in this state.
The third verse reflects on the absence of a name for loneliness in this place. The singer expresses the feeling of being lost and lonely, without any stars to guide them. They long for Maria to return and be by their side again, symbolizing the need for love and companionship to alleviate their emptiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Away out here they've got a name
In this remote place, there exists a specific term
For wind and rain and fire
To describe the forces of nature: wind, rain, and fire
The rain is Tess, the fire is Joe
The rain is metaphorically referred to as Tess, while the fire is symbolized as Joe
And they call the wind Maria
However, the wind is commonly personified and known as Maria
Maria flows the stars around
Maria influences the movement of the stars in the sky
Since the clouds are flying
This is evident by the rapid movement of the clouds
Maria makes the mountains sound
Maria creates a sound resembling that of people dying in the mountains
Like folks were out there dying
The mountains emit an eerie sound as if signaling the presence of dying individuals
Before I knew Maria's name
Prior to being acquainted with Maria and her true identity
Heard her wails and whining
I could perceive her sorrowful cries and complaints
I had a girl and she had me
I was in a romantic relationship with a girl, and we were mutually connected
And the sun was always shining
During that time, life felt blissful and filled with constant sunlight
And then one day I left my girl
But eventually, I decided to leave my beloved partner
Left her far behind me
I departed, leaving her behind in a distant place
Now I'm so lost, so dark, no, lost
Now I am profoundly lost and left in darkness, feeling completely adrift
Not even God can find me
I feel so secluded and abandoned that not even a higher power can locate me
Out here they've got a name for rain
In this unfamiliar location, they possess a specific term to denote rain
Wind and fire only
However, they only have distinct names for wind and fire
But when you're lost and all alone
Yet, when you encounter the feeling of being lost and utterly isolated
There ain't no name for lonely
There is no specific term to describe the profound emotion of loneliness
Now I'm a lost and lonely man
Now I am a disoriented and emotionally isolated individual
Without the stars to guide me
I lack the presence of celestial bodies to provide me with direction and guidance
Maria blowed her love to me
Maria sent her affection towards me through the force of the wind
I need her here beside me
I strongly desire her presence and companionship by my side
Maria, Maria
They often refer to the wind as Maria, and this repetition emphasizes its significance
They call the wind Maria
The wind is known and addressed as Maria by the people in this place
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALAN JAY LERNER, FREDERICK LOEWE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Maxine Russell
This is from the big Broadway Play, "Paint Your Wagon". It was always a show stopper for The Browns, The fans loved it, and so do I. it is one of my all time favorites of The Browns. Thanks for the upload. (Maxine Brown)
mr. warmth
god bless you maxine ty
jennifur sun
this version gives me goosebumps. thanks so much to you and your family for recording it
jennifur sun
+Roger Huff for once someone who makes me feel young
Roger Huff
+Roger Huff excuse my spelling im older than most forests
Clint Bradley
This is absolutely fantastic, such a unique version of a great song. Their vocals have a magical quality to them, great great great! Thanks for posting. P.S Is there a CD available with this track on it?
Noel Livingston
Beautiful music and harmony. It makes my spine tingle and the hair on the back of my neck come alive.
Harold Martin
Hands down- the best version of the song,
Mark Hilliard
Stunning version and i've heard them all -inspired harmonies
goplad1
Such a great and epic production! Thanks to the great Chet Atkins and the Browns for a truly brilliant take on this show classic!