Family Brown

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.

History

Family Brown was founded in 1967 by frontman Joe "Papa" Brown, who was born August 30, 1925 in Amherst, Nova Scotia. Brown was a local musician who had played in two local bands before founding Family Brown, taking the role of lead singer and bass guitarist. 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.