Folk music icon Greg Brown

at: Mayo Civic Center Presentation Hall

4/21/2007 7:30 PM

ROCHESTER, MN - Rochester Magazine and KAAL-TV6 present a return engagement with Folk icon Greg Brown on Saturday, April 21, 2007 at 7:30 PM in the Mayo Civic Center - Presentation Hall.



An earthy rasp tempered by a mellow, straightforward baritone, Greg Brown?s is a voice that can offer sincere observations on the troubles as well as the glories of modern life. He?s the folksinger of his generation, and a gifted spokesman for it. His roots run deep: to the land, to family, and to the richest and oldest veins of American music. Hillbilly country, black blues masters, and the history of American folk resonate together in his performances. Greg Brown talks a lot about community, its value and the need to return to it in the face of the acquisitive technological path our country's been on for decades.



His perspectives are perhaps inspired by his Pentecostal preacher father, his mother?s electric guitar playing and his Grandfather?s poetry and banjo playing. While growing up in rural Iowa, he was exposed in his daily life to gospel music. After moving to New York when he was 18, he started singing and conducting hootenannies at Gerdes Folk City. In the next year, he found himself writing for the Platters? Buck Ram and Ram?s production company.



Brown ultimately returned to Iowa, where he was married and lent his talent to the Iowa Arts Council. He spent his time performing for children, hospital patients, mentally disabled persons, appearing at coffee houses and clubs. Eventually, he was invited to work on the Prairie Home Companion live radio program with Garrison Keillor, where he had the opportunity to work with many diverse performers. In 1985, his experiences writing with Keillor led him to record his first album, In the Dark With You, which showcased his talent for lyrics that evoke strong visual images and feelings while telling a story. Brown has also successfully dabbled in children?s music, with his album Bath Tub Blues, written with the help of elementary school children.



This two-time Grammy nominee has earned chart-topping status in AAA and The Gavin Report's Americana rankings and has received numerous Indie Awards from NAIRD (National Association of Independent Record Distributors). Brown's songwriting has been lauded by many, and his songs have been performed by Willie Nelson, Carlos Santana, Michael Johnson, Shawn Colvin, and Mary Chapin Carpenter.



What the critics are saying:





"one of the truly great musicians of our time. His quirky profound songs and rootsy musicianship make him the peer of Lucinda Williams, U2, Johnny Cash...Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan." - Utne



"a voice so deep, rutted and dark it seems as if it's slithered up out of some primordial ooze." - New York Times



"Greg Brown...one of the best singer-songwriters in America" - The Washington Post



Single tickets are $20 & $14, with a variety of discounts available, and can be purchased at Riverside Concerts in City Hall, the Mayo Civic Center and all Ticketmaster outlets including Macy's, charge by phone through Riverside Concerts (members only) at (507) 285-8076 or (800) 657-3980, or through Ticketmaster at (507) 252-1010, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Partial season ticket packages are also available at Riverside Concerts in City Hall only. Riverside Concerts Box Office hours are Monday ? Friday, 9am ? 4pm. Tune in to Government Channel 19 for a sneak preview airing daily at 7am, 12 noon, 6pm and 11pm. For more information, call (507) 285-8076 or (800) 657-3980 or visit us online at www.riversideconcerts.com.