Brown - Elvis, Strait, to Jesus: an iconic producers journey with legends of rocknroll, country, & gospel music

FORTY OF MY CLOSEST FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES, WHO PLAYED KEY ROLES AT MY LIFES PIVOTAL INTERSECTIONS, TAKE A SEAT IN MY CHAIR AS WE LOOK BACK ON THE JOURNEY AND CAREER THAT I WAS BLESSED WITH.

Serendipitous moments have happened throughout my life, as it relates to my career trajectory. Much of my journey was not planned, and although I mostly followed my heart, my instincts helped me make some very wise decisions. Pictures sometimes tell this kind of story better than words, which is why Ive chosen key people to be featured in my French Renaissance chair. The chair represents me. And those in the chair were present at the intersections where I took a big step, or maybe a subtle right or left turn.

Although my relationships with those featured in this book span yearsor even decadesI will introduce you to my friends by naming the year I believe was the most significant in our history.

We all have a destiny, and we can affect it for good, or just stay steady and moving straight ahead. Youll discover that the famous quote by Seneca that says, Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity, definitely applies to my life.

Ive really enjoyed putting this book together and feel proud to have such talented and kind friends be a part of my life story. I look forward to the next chapter in my life. I hope you enjoy this one.

Growing up poor is how I learned humility and that middle class folks were not rich just because they had nice brick homes and fancy cars. They shared the same values as my family but had more shiny things, which they had worked for. We had very littleno indoor plumbing for bathrooms, no TV, a rattletrap car, and lots of our Christmas presents and clothes came from Goodwill. But we did have an old upright piano. And my time spent playing it would serve me very well later on.

My dad became an evangelist after he was diagnosed with lung cancer. We kids would play and sing, and he would preach hellfire and brimstone (an old Southern expression).

In my childhood, I began to analyze how to move up the food chain while remaining humble. I wouldnt change a thing about the way I was raised. My musical ability, cultivated during that time, became my glass slipper, except I wouldnt lose it!

I love the sentiment of the Ricky Skaggs song Dont Get Above Your Raisin. Its kind of funny, but its the way blue-collar Southern folks thought about things. And its the way I still think about things.

1. Me in front of Dads car in Greensboro, North Carolina.

2. Me in front of our house in Greensboro.

3. Me with Dad, my brothers, and my sister in Elkin, North Carolina, at my grandmothers house (Im first to Dads right).

4. Me (center), Mom, and my brothers on our dairy farm in Greensboro.

5. Me (second to right), my brothers, and my sister dressed up for church in Walkertown, North Carolina.

6. Grandma Brown, Dad, and all my aunts in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

7. Me, Mom, and my sister at home in Walkertown.