Looking back to see : a country music memoir / Maxine Brown.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Brown, Maxine, 1931-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Browns (Musical group).

Country musicians--United States--Biography.

Country musicians.

United States.

Genre:

Biographies.

Physical Description:

xviii, 348 pages, 56 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

[Fayetteville, Ark.] : University of Arkansas Press, 2005.

Summary:

The Brown-Maxine, Bonnie, and Jim Ed-are a trio of siblings that had tremendous success in the 1950s and '60s. Following in the tradition of Loretta's Lynn's Coal Miner's Daughter, this memoir, told in Maxine's own plucky, spirited style, delves into the Browns' remarkable past, beginning with a Depression-era childhood in rural south Arkansas scarred by poverty and tragedy. From that beginning emerged a duo, Maxine and Jim Ed, who became a popular feature of Little Rock's Barnyard Frolic and, in 1954, had a Top Ten hit with "Looking Back to See." Sister Bonnie later joined them and soon they were regulars on the well-known Louisiana Hayride. They would eventually help a young Elvis Presley get started on the show and tour with him as their opening act, and it wasn't long before he became a close friend of the family. Other hits followed, including "I Take the Chance" and "I Heard the Bluebirds Sing."

Early mismanagement couldn't prevent the Browns' careers from soaring. The group enjoyed a long relationship with RCA, and with Chet Atkins, and later joined the Grand Ole Opry cast. In 1959 the group's rendition of Edith Piaf's "The Three Bells" not only went to the top of the country charts but spent weeks at number one on the pop charts, and led to appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and American Bandstand.

A vocal group without peer, the Browns were central artists in the changing sound of country and American popular music at mid-century. They were part of major changes in the entertainment business and American culture in the 1950s, participated in the growing popularity of the folk music movement in the '60s, and saw the birth of rock 'n' roll up close. Illustrated with many never-before-published photographs, Looking Back to See is a remarkable story told here for the first time.

Contents:

Living lean and country values

Raymond's death and Daddy's logging accident

Moving on up

and around

Now we're in show business

Our first recording session

Perils of the road and that old devil Robinson

We get screwed

Screwed again

Putting on that almighty front

Elvis Presley

Another legend is born

I finally meet my childhood idol

Europe

The Browns' youngest sister and Momma's stroke

"The three bells" (Little Jimmy Brown)

"Scarlet ribbons" and "The old lamplighter"

Johnny Cash and paying the price for crossover records

"Mommy please stay home with me"

Just a matter of time

Jim Reeves's last flight

Learning to accept life's gifts

"I can't quit, I'm a star"

"Old hat" Maxine

Losing Mama

Chicken today, feathers tomorrow

The Browns' recording studio

Legends of country music

Still singing

Last song : still dreaming the dream.

Notes:

Includes index.

Discography: page 281.

ISBN:

1557287902

OCLC:

56894561