Family Brown
Encyclopedia
Family Brown was a Canadian country music
band founded in 1967 by Joe Brown (vocals
, bass guitar
), along with his son Barry
(vocals, guitar
) and daughters Lawanda and Tracey (vocals), as well as Dave Dennison (guitar) and Ron Sparling (drums). Between 1967 and 1990, the band charted several singles in both Canada and the United States. The band also won eighteen Canadian Country Music Association
awards, the most received by any artist. After disbanding, former member Tracey Brown
charted both as a solo artist and as a member of the group Prescott-Brown
.
. Brown was a local musician who had played in two local bands before founding Family Brown, taking the role of lead singer and bass guitar
ist. His son, Barry Brown, and daughters Lawanda and Tracey, were also members of the band. Barry served as vocalist, songwriter and guitarist, while the daughters sang backing vocals. Rounding out the membership were lead guitarist Dave Dennison and drummer Ron Sparling, who was also the manager.
Family Brown began performing in local venues and by 1970 had moved to nationwide tours of Canada. Signed to MCA Records
in 1971, the band released the single "R. R. #2" that year, from their self-titled album on MCA Records
. By 1972, the band was the subject of a national TV show, Call It Country (later Country Way, then Family Brown Country), which taped at CJOH-TV
in Ottawa, Ontario.
Throughout the 1970s and into the 1980s, the band recorded for RCA Records
, recording nine studio albums and two greatest hits albums in that timespan and charting forty-three singles on the RPM
Country Tracks charts. Several of their singles also charted on the country charts in the United States, including the #30 "But It's Cheating." They also received 3 Juno's one in 1985 for Country Group of the Year, as well as seventeen RPM Big Country Awards and eighteen Canadian Country Music Association
awards, the most ever received by one act. In 1982 the band added steel guitarist/fiddle player Gary (Spike) Spicer.
After Joe Brown died in 1986, and at this time Tracey's husband Randall Prescott joined the band and served as a record producer for their final two RCA albums. The band broke up after their final performance in September 1990. In 1997, Family Brown was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame
. Tracey charted a duet with Terry Carisse
in 1990, later founding the group Prescott Brown & Lonesome Daddy (later Prescott-Brown
) along with Randall Prescott and Barry Brown. The trio charted nine singles in the early 1990s and won another Juno Award. After its disbanding, Tracey charted two more singles of her own.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
band founded in 1967 by Joe Brown (vocals
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
), along with his son Barry
Barry Brown (Canadian musician)
Barry Brown is a Canadian country music artist and songwriter. Brown, a former member of Family Brown and Prescott-Brown. Both bands included his sister, singer Tracey Brown.-Biography:...
(vocals, guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
) and daughters Lawanda and Tracey (vocals), as well as Dave Dennison (guitar) and Ron Sparling (drums). Between 1967 and 1990, the band charted several singles in both Canada and the United States. The band also won eighteen Canadian Country Music Association
Canadian Country Music Association
The Canadian Country Music Association was founded in 1976 as the Academy of Country Music Entertainment to organize, promote and develop a Canadian country music industry. The association changed its name to the Canadian Country Music Association in 1987.-Awards:The CCMA held the first Canadian...
awards, the most received by any artist. After disbanding, former member Tracey Brown
Tracey Brown
Tracey Brown is a Canadian country music artist. Brown, a former member of Family Brown, was nominated for a 1999 Juno Award for Best Country Female Vocalist...
charted both as a solo artist and as a member of the group Prescott-Brown
Prescott-Brown
Prescott-Brown was a Canadian country music trio composed of Tracey Brown, her brother Barry and her husband Randall Prescott. Tracey is a former member of Canada's most awarded country band, Family Brown, Barry is an award winning songwriter, and Randall is one of Canada's most awarded producers...
.
History
Family Brown was founded in 1967 by frontman Joe "Papa" Brown, who was born August 30, 1925 in Amherst, Nova ScotiaAmherst, Nova Scotia
Amherst is a Canadian town in northwestern Cumberland County, Nova Scotia.Located at the northeast end of the Cumberland Basin, an arm of the Bay of Fundy, Amherst is strategically situated on the eastern boundary of the Tantramar Marshes 3 kilometres east of the interprovincial border with New...
. Brown was a local musician who had played in two local bands before founding Family Brown, taking the role of lead singer and bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
ist. His son, Barry Brown, and daughters Lawanda and Tracey, were also members of the band. Barry served as vocalist, songwriter and guitarist, while the daughters sang backing vocals. Rounding out the membership were lead guitarist Dave Dennison and drummer Ron Sparling, who was also the manager.
Family Brown began performing in local venues and by 1970 had moved to nationwide tours of Canada. Signed to MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
in 1971, the band released the single "R. R. #2" that year, from their self-titled album on MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
. By 1972, the band was the subject of a national TV show, Call It Country (later Country Way, then Family Brown Country), which taped at CJOH-TV
CJOH-TV
CJOH-DT is a television station serving Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and the surrounding region. Owned by Bell Media, it is part of the CTV Television Network....
in Ottawa, Ontario.
Throughout the 1970s and into the 1980s, the band recorded for RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
, recording nine studio albums and two greatest hits albums in that timespan and charting forty-three singles on the RPM
RPM (magazine)
RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,...
Country Tracks charts. Several of their singles also charted on the country charts in the United States, including the #30 "But It's Cheating." They also received 3 Juno's one in 1985 for Country Group of the Year, as well as seventeen RPM Big Country Awards and eighteen Canadian Country Music Association
Canadian Country Music Association
The Canadian Country Music Association was founded in 1976 as the Academy of Country Music Entertainment to organize, promote and develop a Canadian country music industry. The association changed its name to the Canadian Country Music Association in 1987.-Awards:The CCMA held the first Canadian...
awards, the most ever received by one act. In 1982 the band added steel guitarist/fiddle player Gary (Spike) Spicer.
After Joe Brown died in 1986, and at this time Tracey's husband Randall Prescott joined the band and served as a record producer for their final two RCA albums. The band broke up after their final performance in September 1990. In 1997, Family Brown was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame
Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame
The Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, located in Merritt, British Columbia, was established in 1984 to honour Canadian country music artists, builders or broadcasters, living or deceased...
. Tracey charted a duet with Terry Carisse
Terry Carisse
Terrance Victor Carisse known as Terry Carisse, was one of Canadian Country Music's most awarded, decorated and popular singer-songwriters. He was nominated four times for a Juno Award.-Early life:...
in 1990, later founding the group Prescott Brown & Lonesome Daddy (later Prescott-Brown
Prescott-Brown
Prescott-Brown was a Canadian country music trio composed of Tracey Brown, her brother Barry and her husband Randall Prescott. Tracey is a former member of Canada's most awarded country band, Family Brown, Barry is an award winning songwriter, and Randall is one of Canada's most awarded producers...
) along with Randall Prescott and Barry Brown. The trio charted nine singles in the early 1990s and won another Juno Award. After its disbanding, Tracey charted two more singles of her own.
List of awards
Family Brown received the following awards:- 1976: RPM Big Country Award for Top Group
- 1977: RPM Big Country Award for Top Group
- 1978: RPM Big Country Award for Top Group
- 1979: RPM Big Country Award for Top Group
- 1979: RPM Big Country Award, Single of the Year ("Stay with Me")
- 1979: RPM Big Country Award, Album of the Year (Familiar Faces, Familiar Places)
- 1980: RPM Big Country Award for Top Group
- 1981: RPM Big Country Award for Top Group
- 1982: CCMACanadian Country Music AssociationThe Canadian Country Music Association was founded in 1976 as the Academy of Country Music Entertainment to organize, promote and develop a Canadian country music industry. The association changed its name to the Canadian Country Music Association in 1987.-Awards:The CCMA held the first Canadian...
Group of the Year - 1982: CCMA Single of the Year ("Some Never Stand a Chance")
- 1982: CCMA Song of the Year ("Some Never Stand a Chance")
- 1982: CCMA Album of the Year (Raised on Country Music)
- 1993: CCMA Entertainer of the Year
- 1983: CCMA Single of the Year ("Raised on Country Music")
- 1983: CCMA Song of the Year ("Raised on Country Music")
- 1983: CCMA Group of the Year
- 1983: CCMA Album of the Year (Raised on Country Music)
- 1983: CCMA Entertainer of the Year
- 1984: CCMA Group of the Year
- 1984: CCMA Album of the Year (Repeat After Me)
- 1985: Juno AwardJuno AwardThe Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
for Country Group of the Year - 1985: RPM Big Country Award for Top Group
- 1985: RPM Big Country Award, Album of the Year (Feel the Fire)
- 1986: CCMA Group of the Year
- 1986: CCMA Album of the Year (Feel the Fire)
- 1987: CCMA Group of the Year
- 1987: RPM Big Country Award for Top Group
- 1988: CCMA Group of the Year
- 1989: CCMA Group of the Year
- 1989: RPM Big Country Award for Top Group
- 1989: RPM Big Country Award, Album of the Year (These Days)
- 1989: CCMA Single of the Year ("Town of Tears")
- 1989: CCMA Song of the Year ("Town of Tears")
- 1990: RPM Big Country Award for Top Group
- 1990: CCMA Song of the Year ("Pioneers")
Albums
| Year | Album | CAN Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | The Family Brown | — |
| 1972 | Portrait | — |
| 1976 | I Am the Words, You Are the Music | — |
| 1978 | Believe in Us | 11 |
| 1979 | The Best of Country Gospel | 7 |
| Familiar Faces, Familiar Places | 9 | |
| 1980 | Best of Family Brown | 18 |
| 1981 | Nothing Really Changes | — |
| 1982 | Raised on Country Music | — |
| 1984 | Repeat After Me | — |
| 1985 | Feel the Fire | — |
| 1988 | These Days | 29 |
| 1989 | Life and Times 1982-1989 | — |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart Positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN Country | CAN AC | US Country Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales... |
||
| 1971 | "R.R. #2" | 2 | — | — |
| 1972 | "Family Love" | 3 | 4 | — |
| "Yes, Jesus Loves Me" | 27 | — | — | |
| 1973 | "The Feeling's Too Strong" | 16 | 45 | — |
| "Ninety Acre Farm" | 23 | — | — | |
| 1974 | "Kids in the Kitchen" | 4 | — | — |
| "Love Is Simple" | 14 | — | — | |
| 1975 | "A Touch of God" | 16 | — | — |
| "I Am the Words" | 18 | 28 | — | |
| 1976 | "Light at the End of the Hall" | 24 | — | — |
| "If You Keep Throwing Dirt If You Keep Throwing Dirt "If You Keep Throwing Dirt" is a song by Canadian country music group Family Brown. The song was released as a single in 1976. It reached number one on the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada in October 1976.-Chart performance:... " |
1 | — | — | |
| 1977 | "Sing a Song of Love" | 11 | — | — |
| "Jukebox Lover" | 7 | — | — | |
| "Lovin' Fool" | 10 | 20 | — | |
| 1978 | "You're the Light" | 3 | 25 | — |
| "Love Is a Contact Sport" | 6 | — | — | |
| 1979 | "The Way I Love You" | 26 | — | — |
| "Stay with Me" | 4 | 20 | — | |
| "Love Was on Our Side Love Was on Our Side "Love Was on Our Side" is a single by Canadian country music group Family Brown. Released in 1979, it was a single from their album Familiar Faces, Familiar Places. The song reached number one on the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada in March 1980.... " |
1 | — | — | |
| 1980 | "But It's Cheating But It's Cheating "But It's Cheating" is a single by Canadian country music group Family Brown. Released in 1980, it was a single from their album Best of Family Brown. The song reached number one on the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada in September 1980.... " |
1 | — | — |
| "It's Really Love This Time" | 7 | — | 57 | |
| 1981 | "Ribbon of Gold" | 18 | 24 | — |
| "Another Broken Hearted Melody" | 10 | — | — | |
| 1982 | "But It's Cheating" (re-entry) | 43 | — | 30 |
| "Some Never Stand a Chance" | 4 | 27 | 61 | |
| "Raised on Country Music" | 9 | — | — | |
| 1983 | "Memorized by Heart" | 8 | — | — |
| "We Really Got a Hold on Love" | 4 | 13 | 67 | |
| 1984 | "Repeat After Me" | 5 | 20 | 56 |
| "Did You Know" | 32 | — | — | |
| "Straight Forward Love Affair" | 30 | 26 | — | |
| 1985 | "Feel the Fire" | 22 | — | 66 |
| 1986 | "What If It's Right" | 8 | — | 80 |
| "Wouldn't You Love Us Together Again" | 46 | — | — | |
| 1987 | "I Love You More" | 10 | — | — |
| "Overnight Success" | 21 | — | — | |
| 1988 | "Til I Find My Love Til I Find My Love "Til I Find My Love" is a single by Canadian country music group Family Brown. Released in 1988, the single is from their album These Days. The song reached #1 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in July 1988 and also crossed over to the Adult Contemporary Tracks chart, peaking at #19.-Chart performance:... " |
1 | 19 | — |
| "Town of Tears" | 7 | — | — | |
| 1989 | "Let's Build a Life Together" | 3 | — | — |
| "Sure Looks Good" | 22 | — | — | |
| "Pioneers" | 13 | — | — | |
| 1990 | "How Many Times" | 3 | — | — |
Music videos
| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | "Pioneers" | Robert Holbrook |