Junior Brown

Junior Brown, born in 1952 in Kirksville, IN, began his musical journey as a young pianist inspired by country music greats like Ernest Tubb. By the late '60s, he had turned professional, eventually developing his signature "guit-steel" hybrid guitar in collaboration with luthier Michael Stevens. Moving to Austin, TX, Brown and his band gained popularity as the house band at the Continental Club, leading to a record deal and the release of his debut album, 12 Shades of Brown, in 1993. Subsequent albums like Guit With It (1993), Semi-Crazy (1996), and Mixed Bag (2001) continued to showcase his blend of Western swing and rockabilly.

Brown's career saw him evolve from a guitar instructor at the Hank Thompson School of Country Music to a respected musician known for his instrumental prowess and genre-bending sound. His albums, including Down Home Chrome (2004) and the live album Live at the Continental Club: The Austin Experience (2005), solidified his status as a successful crossover artist bridging country and rock & roll influences. With his unique "guit-steel" guitar and dynamic performances, Junior Brown remains a distinctive figure in the music industry, blending honky tonk with electrified Bakersfield country to create a sound all his own.