GEN X'ers REACT | Austin Brown | Unchained Melody

[@patriciamcl54]

I suppose it was inevitable that once Austin started to become really popular as a a solo artist (this song was the first on his channel in 2020 and there's been a lot of water under the bridge since then) that people would also start, as below, to whinge that he doesn't do it as well as X or Y. I might remind people that this version has hit well over 15 MILLION views, and isn't even IMHO his best version of the song. There are live versions which are electrifying. To get a better idea of Austin's work, you need to check out his originals. He started recording them in 2020 and right now is pushing out great songs at a fantastic rate. You could check out If I Met You Now, Everlasting Ground and his most recent, Waking Up with an Angel. All his songs now are for or about his beautiful wife. I would second the suggestion below that you listen to Austin's Bring Him Home but also his first duet with Makena Hartlin, Never Had a Dream Come True, and Tears in Heaven. Austin's is a very special talent which (tin helmet on) has not really been allowed to develop in Home Free. Hopefully he can now explore and develop in his own way. Btw there have been no "creative differences" or rifts within the band. Austin wants to live a normal life, get off the road and raise a family, and his solo career is doing well enough to allow him to do that. If you want to hear another phenomenally talented member of Home Free, Adam Chance is also building up a fine body of work, covers and his own originals. His most recent, Leave Her Johnny and Ketchum IN, are quite stunning and a refreshing change from country.

[@nancyholter5646]

Adam's music is fantastic as well. Both his covers and his originals - I can't wait for his album to come out. If you watch the videos they made of "home life" during COVID, you can see how relaxed and happy Austin was with having time to do normal things. The others seems to be a bit less content. If it hadn't been for that experience he would probably still be as happy as any of them to continue to tour. But covid changed things for so many of us - and it made it a bit easier for him, Tim, and Chance to expand their solo/small group work. You are right, some of Austin's live recordings of this song are tremendous. When you are seeing fan phone video you know there is no 'fixing' going on. To add to the list of suggestions - people should find his recoding of "Empty House". Or any of the other three he recorded for that writer. Definitely a different 'voice' for him.

[@williammaddox6363]

Y’all should check out his version of “Bring Him Home”

[@nancyholter5646]

Tim has an older album of solos (with instruments) called The Best I Could Do - all originals except one written by a friend. He also has an album of do-wop a capella songs where he layers himself like Peter does, called Pieces of Me Vol 1. You might try his cover of "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow / Stay" for an insight into his range. Chance has a start on a nice channel. I think his voice is shown best in his cover of "If I Could Only Fly", but his original "Song for Home" is very nice, too, just a bit higher in his range. As you know, Austin has quite an active channel - including lots of originals that are not under 'videos' since they don't have videos, yet. BUT - did you know that he and Rob did a joint effort (on Austin's channel) called "Two COUNTRY Singers try singing OPERA - "Nessun Dorma"" - it will give you a new respect for Rob's voice. Adam is just now starting his own web site, I haven't seem much action on it yet.

[@lillianthomas8445]

Austin sings this AMAZING. Elvis did too

[@sabrerogers5216]

No one does it like ...Bobby Hatfield of the Righteous Bros

[@jackiemaddox4577]

And a Gen-xer, what song do you all have that will put chills on your arms or the warmth, peace and calmnest in your soul? this guy is good but the Righteous Brothers brought it home!

[@charleneclaassen]

Austin did it simple because that is how his grandmother loved to hear him sing. Love all three versions of this song.