Junior Brown Interview

Excerpt from Sleepwalk Guitar Talk, filmed during Sleepwalk Guitar Festival, Nov 2-4, 2012. Interviewer Luke Doucet talks to Junior Brown at the Great Hall in Toronto, ON.
Sleepwalk Guitar Festival is presented by Six Shooter Records and curated by Luke Doucet. Sleepwalk Guitar Talk is filmed by Scott Kaija and Ryan Gassi and their team at Light Echo Productions.
www.sleepwalkguitar.com

[@MrDMV816]

JB is a living American legend and should be treated as such.

[@jamesfea4663]

True…

[@davidsmith-hb1jx]

Maybe one of the most well spoken and philosophical guys in country music. Thank you junior

[@laurierken]

I genuinely like Junior Brown. Good guy, him. Hope he is around for a long time to come.

[@kevcizzle]

"The irony is that it's the parody that's taken over..." Genius.

[@manonbassguitar]

What a wealth of knowledge, he hit it right on the head. “The irony is the parody”.... brilliant!

[@franklinbumgartener1323]

As my old pal Hank (no, not that Hank) used to say "Junior Brown is country music's best kept secret." I agree.

[@ericdebord]

Junior Brown is absolutely fantastic. Love his music. And a super cool dude .

[@samuelbiskin3416]

A brilliant player. And a smart guy. Huge talent.

[@johns.6133]

Saw Junior play at the Continental Club in Austin TX about 5 years ago. During the show I turned around to see some of the crowd and right behind me is Robert Plant.

[@dkmurphygirl]

Mr. Brown doesn't always speak his mind, but when he does, it's fantastic. :-D He's not only an amazing musician, but an amazing human being as well.

[@markmarsh27]

Fender MISSED THE BOAT when they didn't manufacture The Junior Brown GuitSteel ... a simple but BRILLIANT invention that made JB the most versatile stage guitarist ON EARTH.. .... I'D BUY ONE TOMORROW!

[@guyward5137]

I’d just found junior Brown a few days ago on KZbin and he is the real deal iv already bought some of his albums and can’t stop playing them and yes I believe real country music and gone . What they are playing on the radio today is NOT good music.

[@judsonclayto7813]

'the irony is that the parody has taken over'... coulda kissed him for that phrase...

[@charger19691]

I could have hugged Junior Brown for what he said about today’s Country Music. He’s a fantastic musician and gentleman.

[@bigthrifty]

Do not ever cut your self short. Junior. Their is no one better. Big

[@ronniemctaggart8722]

Amen

[@GuitarUniverse2013]

I must’ve seen Junior Brown a dozen times over the past 25 years and I just realized something; He looks like Billy Joel.

[@Spoon26]

Junior is really laying some truth down in this lol

[@yeoldepirate783]

Agreed ! listen up folks

[@rayjr62]

Country music was born in Nashville, TN and it was murdered there....without a true burial...around 1990 or so. When the industry started to support the "Hat" acts that the beginning of the end.

[@jcavazos4145]

Brandon Witherspoon. He's right. It's gone. Sad.

[@karrZ-mi5km]

And what makes him sincere about it, is like what he said at 4:15, and the audience laughed. But he didn't. You can see it in his eyes that it pains him that it's mostly died out.

[@mkivy]

Love ya Mr. Brown...u r the real deal...I’m 66 and the music I played is gone...I learned from my grandma and mom! I’ve been playing since 1960...lots of playing!

[@dionst.michael1482]

One of the coolest cats. Incredible talent ❤

[@Weshopwizard]

Just the word I would use. Nobody else sounds like him and he shreds. 🤘🏻

[@Joe-bf9ys]

Succinctly and so aptly put by this fantastic musician,Mr.Brown,and extremely well read as well.....

[@rustyaxelrod]

Pretty serious feller to make such light hearted, fun music. Didn’t expect that.

[@stendec-dd3he]

It's great to just hear Junior talk. He's right though, society has died out and moved on from country music, sad really but true. Bless you, Junior.

[@samiam7]

I saw junior brown in an obscure role on x files the other day. Best episode ever

[@guloguloguy]

I LOVE "SURF" Music!!!! I was born in 1959, and grew up hearing it when I was very young, and I ALWAYS LOVED SURF Music!!! Jr. Brown IS GREAT at playing in the "SURF" Style, too!!! BRAVO!!!! THANKS!!!!

[@mitchmaverick7491]

Saw Junior at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville about 1990, when “Music City” had not quite yet become a caricature of itself.

[@steveco6256]

Luke Doucet does a great job at being an Interviewer here.

[@amandalively1]

Crossroads guitar festival should have this man!

[@jcavazos4145]

Amanda tompkins. A true guitar player.

[@stephenbouchelle7706]

I’d love to see him jamming with some of the other Crossroads artists. JB can play Hendrix, blues, and pretty much whatever the stage calls for.

[@iplaymytele]

Unfortunately, Junior is absolutely correct about country music....! I am 65 years old I have been playing music in front of audiences since I was 11 years old ... I own a school of music now, and I’ve been teaching 22 years..🎶❤️🎵 For several years in my mid to late 20s my father and I owned a recording studio back home in Illinois.... Besides owning the studio I did a lot of session work like so many studio owners do🎶🎸🎵🎹🎶🎻, dad and I both wrote country music and we belong to the CMA for around 10 years.... This was when the awards were sponsored by ( Kraft ) and you could still go watch them at the Grand old Opry and the postparty was so much fun getting a chance to talk to George Jones Little Jimmy Dickens another fantastic great country artist.....! I ended up being on the Nashville network TV show ⭐️You Can Be a Star ⭐️, and was picked up by a great Nashville Agent....🙏❤️🙏. As The real country artist slowly died off and the new artist started coming in and proclaiming they were “Real Country” artist Country Music got worse and worse.... Dad and I both left the CMA because it went from a small group of artist, radio stations and recording studios, producers and other people directly associated with country music that voted on the awards... To A bunch of elite jackasses who knew nothing about country music....!!! Yes there are people that play old country music and love it but like Junior Brown said, there is no ( society anymore ) no camaraderie between the real country artist and it’s very sad.... I still have two bands and I am still teaching...🎵❤️🎶 and on select given weekends you will see and hear me on stage playing country music....! Thank You Jim Ed Brown.... For giving me the chance to travel around in a bus for a little over five years and get a chance to play country music with real country artist, May you forever Rest In Peace🎶🎵❤️🎶🎵❤️🎶🎵❤️

[@ronniemctaggart8722]

Junior brown is one of the best love to listen to him

[@jim8199]

Junior speaks so well in all his interviews. He's intelligent, insightful and funny. I find his interviews seem too short cuz he's so interesting. He's an awesome genuine man.

[@douggauzy6258]

What wisdom . He put it in better words than I ever could . Country music today as a 60 year old really sucks .

[@nikkic.b.4095]

Junior is an original badass.

[@TheNovadude]

Junior and Tanya Rae Brown are a Class Act

[@ricardomediano2652]

The Rockabilly society supports country music!!

[@mikefurfaro2306]

Thank God for you Junior...

[@jipes]

Such a great interview Mr Brown is sharp as a knife and address very accurately several points

[@Cradletothegrave67]

Most enjoyable experience of my entire day !! Just Awesome 😎

[@davidschick6951]

2:20 Sincerity and honesty are definitely gone for the most part. I am debating which direction to drive to go see him. Sadly, the one night I could affordably go see him, I got sick. I hate to even say this but as little merchandise as is left on his website I would venture that he will retire no later than the end of 2020. Don't get me wrong, he's old, he's earned it but I will miss him. I wish mainstream country was ready for him.

[@JCourts2k23]

Been a fan for a long time, ever since I heard highway patrol when I was a kid

[@turkeymanmcgee8231]

He hit the nail on the head. It’s gone. Country music is gone

[@drumsleuth]

Jr is a really smart guy. Great artist good guy good stories great live show. Thank You Mr Brown

[@chrisoconnell2269]

There is no one like Junior Brown on this planet or anywhere else. He will always be my Buddy Carl Brown, Jr.

[@mygarden365]

I never heard of him,but i really like him now.

[@keithpurtell1213]

Really interesting to hear this interview with Junior. Not just an excellent musician, but also a very well-spoken man.

[@stevewright4576]

Junior Brown is wonderful, such skills. I want to see him and "Dave pedal steel" jam, both technical perfectionists.

[@failingdisciple938]

Loved this interview! Too short!

[@saxegotha7]

Gawd I love him

[@williamstlj530]

Laying down the Truth! I love it!

[@SueBeaWho]

SAW HIM IN CONCERT!!!! up FRONT!! WOOOT

[@timboh.533]

This interview is very nice, but what would be even better would be to have a separate video without the talking edited into the middle of the song. Especially now, with Junior having a version of Sleepwalk in Better Call Saul. That would be so cool!

[@notsure4508]

Love Junior

[@timfeleppa3156]

Lovely stuff.

[@jeffthomas6818]

What a great talent. He did a great duet with The Beach Boys 409.

[@mkivy]

Excellent musician! Love his music....he is so spot-on...it’s gone! I hear c&w music with guitars with distortion! Distortion! What happened to it all...love Jr...

[@DANIEL93121]

Thanks I found it.!!!

[@user-nu7kk4uw6k]

I love that Gretsch White Falcon.

[@rcoveyduc]

"The irony is that the parody has taken over." - brilliant.

[@zacharysnider4963]

Texas country is the only country music left. But country isnt dead Junior. Its alive and well here in the lonestar state.

[@s2sadewe]

I hope Junior Brown is writing an autobiography; or at least keeping a journal for later use. That would be the third neck of his life-art.

[@NGH99999]

Modern "country" is what it is, but it should carry its own entirely different classification and name within music. Perhaps "cuntry" or "insufferable" would suffice. I grew up in the '70s, with a father who only played country on the car radio, and didn't have much good to say about rock 'n roll - or long hair and earrings on guys. I rebelled, of course. A few years ago, I dialed up some of those old country songs on Pandora, and couldn't believe I used to hate that music. Hank. Ernest. Haggard. Twitty. Waylon. Sovine, Dudley, Curless, and Simpson, and Reeves, too. That stuff simply stands the test of time.

[@charger19691]

Today’s “Country Music” I like to call, “Cheap Country”. I’ve listened to Country Music my whole life and after the late 90’s, I gave up on the new country sound. Once and awhile I hear a song I like, but for the most part, I stick with the artists I grew up listening to.

[@nicholasgardiner9601]

@@charger19691 it was ever t h u s.

[@rickrebell5289]

great man

[@jjaywill]

His third guitar he gave to Bob Dylan when he toured with him a few yrs ago.

[@dhix2388]

you know Junior gave the most honest answer of where Country Music has gone. the generations move on. country for our generation has passed. ITS not coming back. So we appreciate the past Country music and musians like Junior who keep it going.

[@nicholasgardiner9601]

@dhix whatever you've loved and really listened 2 lives forever in your heart, keep looking loving and listening.

[@tomstern1681]

what a sweet guy!

[@mitchmaverick7491]

So true Junior.

[@Frankincensedjb123]

Country has moved onto bland and boring, twingety twang pop. Just like rock has faded. Too damn much computerized auto-tuned garbage. Thank the heavens for Jr and other who keep real music alive.

[@goldsmithstudent]

Jr. is the real deal

[@DrogoBaggins987]

I've known people who studied music for years and years and could play and sing really well but didn't have an ounce of soul and never understood that music is about life.

[@kevin.afton_]

Would have been better without the music when he is talking.

[@jordanaug81]

Everything is merging into one collective "thing"....The culture embraces hybrid music, and todays country is rap with a banjo loop track in the background. Junior is one of the very rare, chicken pickin on that sweet tele / steel guitar and keeping the music pure. Technology is a wonderful thing, until it makes actually playing an instrument obsolete and calls itself brave & innovative. Give me Junior Brown, Hank Garland and Buck Owens with their 3-4 piece bands over any "Genius" with 10 people (Not including the software developers) who produce & make their music for them.

[@daveb741]

If you go to Ireland, or U.K. Australia, you'll still find good country music. I mean the good kind. You can find it all the time on the internet.

[@hmackie6823]

exactly Junior

[@lfainightkiller3868]

real heros

[@bevhallenbeck5787]

Junior Brown is just cool...country cool.

[@jeffscott8323]

Like this guy

[@magnuslilleengen]

Junior Brown for president

[@helmuttdvm]

Junior seems to hit it on the head - changing times and tastes (whether good or bad).

[@izzynutz2000]

Junior Brown the man.. all hail Junior Brown

[@trevorgwelch7412]

Excellent Interview Great Well Thought Out Questions . Interview Robin Trower If Possible . Thank You. Mississauga Ontario Canada 🇨🇦

[@russkendrickmartin7257]

I love Junior Brown and love his music but I disagree with him about the "culture that supported country music dying out." I think Blue Collar America is still here and still strong. I know the young girls drive the Pop & Pop-Country markets--and radio panders to them, but there's still an audience for authentic Country music--and there are plenty of outlets for the audience to find the music.

[@1hasbeen531]

We are not ALL gone!

[@shobud71]

Now thats Church!!! Junior laid it down solid!

[@JavierTijuana]

Words of Wisdom.

[@AZCobraman]

You can see where the humor in his songs comes from.

[@2manycatsforadime]

well that wasn't long enough. Could have watched an hour of mJunior Brown talking and playing.

[@markwilliams8532]

Mr. Brown is the Sh-t. He gets my respect. it's all about the gitsteel

[@greenfungus1]

I lived in Nashville, I live in Austin area now , Born and bred in Texas (Houston) . I grew up listening to what is now called Metal music.. But I think I always just liked Music.. I had a Public Access TV show in Austin for 8 yrs and I took my Ideas about Music to the public and was amazed how well it went over. I played Country Music Next to metal and punk and the public seemed to like it.. I called it the good music because i did not listen to anything that was bad... anyway it was the Guitar that always came to the forefront.. my favorites are great Guitar players.. Michael Schenker, Ritchie Blackmore ,Dwight Yoakam , Buck Owens , Roy Clark and Junior Fuggin Brown ... I think Junior is a little right about the direction of Country Music as the industry goes... But there a many really good bands still doing real country and some up and coming .. Not sure if "The Wagoneers" are still together (Austin band) but they were great.... Then There is "The Derailers" and their Buck Owens sound. .. Then I go back to when I was in Nashville and bumped into Steve Earle at the bank .. His Then Bass player "Roy Husky " lived in my neighborhood... That was country right there... Maybe Junior was just bummed out for this interview??? yeah the old ones are dying off but there is hope for the future .. Check out "The Dead South" or " The Devil Makes Three"

[@plugprod]

That’s all great in theory - unless you’re trying to make a living in this business. If you’re not, better listen to what Junior is saying...

[@greenfungus1]

@@plugprod I'm outta the Bidness and really don't care anymore... But hey you do what makes you happy... I still have friends in that line of work... All having a hard time right now due to this covid shit.... But me My toes are tappin... and life is looking up

[@nicholasgardiner9601]

@@greenfungus1 all is impermanence.

[@yo-nr1cv]

Im 100% mexican and i love the REAL Country..not so much the Country Rock of today.

[@JuniorFarquar]

At ETSU they have a bluegrass program. Awesome. Kenny Chesny ( is he the bald guy? I'm a ledhead) and some other artist ....went there. Close to Hiltons, VA and the Carter Fold. ( Mother Maybell!) Wildwood Flower! Influential guitarist and genre maker. We used to drink beer and smoke weed on A. P. Carter's grave cause my friend's grandad was buried right next to him. Mt Vernon United Methodist Church. Good times were the 70s. Ol Ralph Stanley (of the Stanley Brothers) sang "O, Death" in O Brother, Where Art Thou?. RIP was from close by. Johnny Cashs wife was a Carter so bvb he was always poppin in. Cool place. Saw Joe Maphis and Rose there! Doulbeneck Mosrite. Mercy. Royalty that night.

[@TheStones1965]

Posted a search as a comment. Oops. Luke Doucet plays a cut on Randy Bachman's Heavy Blues Album.

[@bluesrock302]

TRUTH ! Tell 'em Jr !

[@standepain]

4:15 That's a whole lot of truth there.

[@hmackie6823]

we're not nerds we're perfectionists

[@beartakedown7196]

good old country music is still wanted but the studios are pushing the newer on us.. Basterds!!!

[@imacomputerbuddie]

geard for teeangers to the 3o somethngs and foget about anybody else.

[@rayjr62]

Look at who has invaded Nashville and who is calling all the shots.

[@fenderman065]

Whatever sales is what’s for sale... Rascal Flatts not Lester Flats

[@schelsullivan]

Who care if its popular? In the age of the internet we can all make music and find and audience.

[@pooperxzd3103]

Quė afortunada de haberte encontrado en los recovecos de mi mmmente!! : )

[@jeffscott8323]

He's badddd

[@pooperxzd3103]

AMO ESA CCSNCIO DEL INICIO DE LA INTERVIÚ..ES CASI UNA MELODIA CANÍBAL .. DOS CUERPOS QUE SE AMALGAMAN HASTA CONVERTIRSE EN UNO.. EN UNO QUE SE TRAGA COMOLETAMENTE AL OTRO..EN UN BOSQUE EN EL QUE ESTAN PERDIDOS DESPUES DE 23 DÍAS... TAMBIEN PODRÍA SER UNA ISLA DESIERTA..O UN DESIERTO..O UN PUEBLO ABANDONADO EN LA INMENSA RUSIA..MMM

[@jimmie200]

My two cents: People will be drawn to anything that is put in front of them repeatedly, for example, look at the fashion industry. People are that hypnotized. I can think of several songs that are really bad that became hits just because they were played REPEATEDLY and CONTINUOUSLY on the radio.

[@sylkelster]

The 'new country' is sung by Designer Cowboys