LEON RUSSELL'S "THIS MASQUERADE" INSPIRATION, CARLA BROWN, SHARES FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH LEON, PART 1

An exclusive interview with Leon Russell’s first (common law) wife, Carla Brown. Mother of Leon's firstborn, Blue Bridges. Carla was with Leon Russell when he purchased the Church Studio in the spring of 1972. This is the first part in a 2-part series. Carla is the inspiration of the song "This Masquerade" and was Leon's companion during the Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour. Video is presented by The Church Studio “Legends.”
Location: Paradise Studios at Grand Lake, Oklahoma
Artists: Carla Brown
Edited By: Grassfire Creative
Interviewer and Producer: Teresa Knox
Photo Credits:
Photos: ©Linda Wolf (www.lindawolf.net),
The Church Studio Archive
Thank you to Dr. Rick Huskey, current owner of Leon's lakehouse studio called Paradise Studios in Tijuana, Oklahoma for allowing us to film on his property.
Artists and Places Mentioned in this Interview:
Leon Russell
Mike Bruce
Kay Poorboy
Joe Cocker
Chris Staton
Jimmy (Junior) Markham
Tulsa Fairgrounds
Mad Dogs and Englishmen
Will Rogers High School
Andy Warhol
Central Park
Eric Clapton
Carl Radle
About: Carla Brown was born in Claremore, Oklahoma on March 6, 1947 and died on September 5, 2018. Carla was a Muscogee Creek Nation citizen, the township of Turtle, and the Beaver clan. Carla met Leon Russell in 1969 (although they met years earlier by chance at Will Rogers High School) and had one child together, Baby Blueagle Bridges, born in 1972.
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[@roymoulton4537]

I remember getting, Tickets, for this Guy called, Leon Russell & the Shelter People. At the Free Trade Hall, in MANCHESTER, ENGLAND, where ,I lived...There were Not Many people at the Concert.And we got to move down to the front of the Hall. I had Never heard, Any of his Music before that Day. So after, some delay, This Guy comes on Stage, Along with a seemingly, Reluctant !!, Backing group. And he said " Sorry' to keep you waiting ", but we will give you A GOOD SHOW..... And they Surely Did. a great concert, and a Great Night. and a Fabulous Musician. The very next day, I went out and Bought all the Albums that he had released, WHAT A PERFORMER,HE WAS. And I still play his Music Now. at 74.

[@CS-mv3nw]

I saw the Leon tour in 1973. To this day, that was the best concert I have ever seen.

[@davidthayer6969]

My sister was in the choir with Leon, David Gates, Anita Bryant at Will Rogers HS. Lots of great memories.

[@TheChurchStudio]

Love your stories David. Thanks for being a supporter of the Church and sharing so much of your knowledge (and talent!)

[@cleartruth101]

THIS WOMAN IS WHAT YOU CALL REAL - IN CASE ANYONE HAS FORGOTTEN WHAT REAL IS. HILARIOUS - God Bless Her.

[@badtweed2087]

If by real you mean low lifer then I would agree with you.

[@cleartruth101]

@@badtweed2087 no I mean no BS. Why does the fact I think she is the salt of the earth bother you so much. If Leon Russell thought she was a good soul then she probably was - obviously she had to become use to speaking up for herself. Being native, and small she still rose to the challenge. I for sure would not talk smack to her, and if I did she would straighten me out in a heart beat. I also love the fact that she shared that Leon Russell always gave credit for his talent to God. Lighten up dear soul.

[@babyblueagle]

That was beautifully handled. 🙏 I appreciate you! 💙🦅

[@earlwright9715]

A low lifer?​@@badtweed2087

[@teresaknox8205]

Really enjoyed meeting Carla and spending the day with her! Her stories were priceless!

[@scottmckenna9164]

What a beauty!

[@babyblueagle]

Love it sweet Teresa! I am so very grateful for the kind generosity and loving respect you showed my little mommy. I love any moment I get to hear her voice and see her face! Today is the two year anniversary of her passing... and oh how I miss her! JUST THANK YOU for this!!! As always, sending so much light, harmony, peace, and love!

[@TheDriftwoodlover]

I’m so sorry for your loss Blue. It’s always tough to lose your parents.

[@TheChurchStudio]

We loved our time with her so much! We are grateful to have had that opportunity to spend a beautiful day at the lake with her! We'll never forget it. You have been a wonderful support. Thank you, Blue!

[@babyblueagle]

thank you, it certainly is. both within two years. :(

[@pattischell7975]

Thanks to all of you for this New Year day gift. I have watched the "Homewood" video, "Poem" & "MD&E" so many times to piece together who was who & who is that beautiful baby Leon is kissing so tenderly as Hello Little Friend plays. It feels like your loss is mine too even though I just now saw this on the Church Studio site. Thank goodness much of this has been preserved by people who love your family's history!

[@AndreBellCopywriter]

So much personality. And what a looker. Wow. Would have loved to have met her. Sat with her. And listened to her experiences and stories. My mom was the last in our family line to qualify as having high enough percentage of native American Indian to live on a reservation, legally. As a child we begged and pleaded not to make us live there. If I could time travel I'd go back and slap the younger version of myself to stay there. I might not have fit in but the life experiences and stories from older ones would have made being different so worth it.

[@rhannawilliamssimmons4353]

What an amazing Aunt she was.. She is loved & missed every single day!! I just can’t wrap my head around it being 2 years already 😢 I used to love to hear her stories, I miss her so much 😢♥️

[@TheChurchStudio]

What an honor to be her niece! We are sorry for your loss. We so loved our time with her.

[@babyblueagle]

I think EVERYONE needs an aunt like her... someone fun, honest, truly unconditional acceptance, and that real non-judgemental thing was probably great for an adolescent girl especially. 🎁💞

[@CreekCat1]

Oh no, she's gone? I have been wondering about her for years. I'm so sorry I didn't get to see her again before she left this earth.

[@catmother4214]

I didn't know she had passed. Im so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful woman. I remember reading that she was an important part of his life. ♥️♥️♥️ 😊

[@babyblueagle]

Yes, she passed away from lung cancer Sept 5, 2018. Thank you! 💙🦅

[@MD-lf3gt]

Very impressed by this lady. She’s for REAL !!

[@ThomasDeLello]

I'm glad to know that Leon was sensible about substances.

[@TheDriftwoodlover]

What a gift to hear her stories. Thank you so much. She seems like she would have been a great friend.

[@evamonks3137]

Some people are judged as the least, when actually they are the most, to someone! She seems craggily, maybe that rough was the lure of this music man. I started to know his name after I heard his music, he sang to my soul and still does. Thank you for sharing her story. I know that Leon was a friend of mine and hers, thread of life starts and ends one stitch at a time.

[@garylester8621]

As a huge Leon fan, thank you for this.

[@roberttippett3733]

I saw Russell twice at the Bacchanal in San Diego. At the second show, there was a woman, blonde, who tried, and I think successfully touched him while he was performing. I got the impression he knew her. He stopped the show and left the stage. I met his keyboard player outside before the show; he was sipping on a bottle of something, and stopped to listen to Fables (JLP), as my friend and I were listening on my ‘74 Ford Courier’s amped-up system. Lord I miss those days!

[@Jeffrey-ef5vc]

Blessed to have known and prayed with Carla a beautiful soul indeed!

[@bryanfindley1438]

such great stuff.. thank u

[@jeffreyschmoldt7798]

It's cool that you shared Leon was a man upon men

[@TheChurchStudio]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@CommercialVehicle]

Thank you for sharing, another piece of the Tulsa music puzzle explained...

[@TheChurchStudio]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kevinsmith2461]

Thanks for this. Really interesting to hear her stories!

[@TheChurchStudio]

All of her stories kept us on the edge of our seats!

[@99RiverSt]

This is a treasure to see. Hearing Carla's stories bring a joy to my heart.

[@garychambers5850]

I wish I could play Piano like " *Leon Russell* " He's amazing!!!! Besides his own songs, he's played on just about All the hit records in the 1960's when he was in that Big studio band " *The Wrecking Crew* " He played on Badfingers album " _Straight Up_ " he plays piano on their hit record " _Day After Day"_ . from 1972

[@bobcox9064]

Thank you so much for producing and sharing this. I love watching your videos!

[@TheChurchStudio]

Thank you, Bob! You are wonderful and we appreciate your continued support!

[@steverottschaefer8972]

You can make the argument he is one of the top five underated musicians of all time

[@TheChurchStudio]

Yes, we agree!!

[@dennisrobbins7857]

True, although discriminating listeners, musicians, and anybody who worked with Leon knew he was a gift!

[@ronniewall1481]

HE IS NOT UNDER RATED JUST NOT AS WELL KNOWN.

[@artparty222murphy9]

Absolutely. I was a fan in his early musical life . Played his piano music

[@Anothertominohio]

This is worth a second listen! And here I thought I knew everything about Leon there was to know. WRONG! :)

[@bennygee3067]

Great video! The Andy Warhol bit is priceless

[@markcorley]

Most enjoyable, thanks

[@shelter8378]

wow, i like "this masquerade" :)

[@TheChurchStudio]

It's a beautiful song!

[@mikephillips6453]

Great interview! Thank you!

[@TheChurchStudio]

Thanks for watching! You are welcome. :-)

[@ZootZinBootZ]

Humbled me still as a rock this woman is so damn grounded she's THE salt of the earth

[@babyblueagle]

💙

[@freddielind5282]

This was wonderful! Tyvm for sharing!❤❤

[@audreydaleski1067]

Life was like this back in the good days.

[@cavscout62]

Carla looks so much like my Moms Mom it’s Scary. What a Great story.

[@judyjohnson7574]

What a cool woman!

[@TheChurchStudio]

She was so much fun!

[@m.a.c.8366]

Her narrative is really cool and enlightening describing their activities and interactions.. Such talents and artists were melded very simply and historically and she was at ground zero, very special lady and memories. thanks for sharing..

[@kimgaryking6804]

I loved him to as a fan she was so lucky. TMC aired a program/movie today with Leon started out kinda with him playing the wedding march at a couples wedding. 2 hrs good enjoyed it. Miss him. She was lucky.

[@TheChurchStudio]

We agree! The film "A Poem is a Naked Person" is one of our favorites as it was filmed the same year he purchased the Church!

[@chrismiles8822]

Leon Russell really seemed to like exotic women.Calra is quite a lady even now. Thanks for the interview♥️

[@TheChurchStudio]

Yes, he did. Thanks for watching!

[@Slinkygal]

I love Carla's stories about Leon even if she was a bit mean to him at first.

[@helenlizzystewart4908]

Still Leon Russell's music, Back to the Island, Lady Blue my favourites

[@tonyawaters4718]

That is a name haven't heard in a while .mark was one hell of a blue's singer . he could blow some harp that was so damn good .

[@CreekCat1]

OMG! Carla! It's been so very long. I just now found out she is gone. I hope Blue is doing well.

[@bradleyyoung8899]

Leon always was a very good man, and great piano player; just ask Elton.

[@ediweb7]

Hi Carla --- been a long time. You are looking great . -e

[@babyblueagle]

Sadly she passed away September 5, 2018. 💙🦅

[@t.t.kelsey7132]

GOD BLESS

[@marjoryrainey287]

That's so interesting.

[@CastleMc]

Interesting interview, and Carla seems like a great person. But I just saw an interview with Rita Coolidge and she said that SHE was living with Leon in the LA house during the Mad Dogs tour, which she was part of....? And they were together for quite awhile. Leon definitely liked beautiful Native women.

[@babyblueagle]

R & L split before the MD&E tour. Rita was with Jim Gordon during the tour actually. 😉

[@PhilSartori]

I like her ! Straight talkin' woman !!

[@markfromm5818]

I can't find any time when Leon played "Me and Baby Jane" in concert, though I consider it his greatest, most moving song. How does the song relate to Carla, and has anyone ever heard a live version? Thanks.

[@roymoulton4537]

Yes ,I Have, and named my Daughter, After The Song.

[@babyblueagle]

It is about her heroin addiction. Which she thankfully overcame in 1982. She actually became and drug and alcohol counselor in the Native American community. 💙🦅

[@VIDSTORAGE]

Great Story

[@lockedin60]

Carla is one tough lady. I would not want to be on her bad side. What an attitude. I bet it has served her well in life. A little like my mother. Except mother did not smoke.

[@babyblueagle]

Yeah, she was tiny and mighty. LOL Sadly she did smoke, it took her life as well. She passed Sept 5, 2018. 💙🦅

[@Swan-rb4yg]

I saw Leon in concert three or four times in the 80s in small venues where I was up close and could see. He had tracks on his arms and was obviously tripping his butt off. In one show in Myrtle Beach, the did all the songs at double speed, and the show took less than hour I love Leon and loved his music, but he did have a drug issue. And he finally gave in to what the other people were doing.

[@babyblueagle]

He actually never had a drug issue. He experimented though. But, he definitely never had tracks on his arms, much less in the 80s. Also, he actually didn’t drink alcohol past 1979 or 80 either. 💙🦅

[@rubydawn1]

lol love this story I love Leon and Joe

[@danorrico4617]

Wow...love you strong lady 💪 ❤️

[@dirtyroot4524]

Awsome.

[@donnastec1582]

You are the luckiest lady in this world ! I dreamed of experiencing and living with some of the best legends in this world ❤ I unfortunately lived in Chicago WOW I would of probably been partying with you 😂 NO doubt ❤ Leon picked you out because he felt your kind and loving soul 😊 Just like he had 🥰😍❤️❤️💜💜✌️ PEACE OUT ❤

[@gerriepieters9033]

Story's are mostly Dreams from long time ago because.....TIME MAKES EVERYTHING CHANGE...NO ONE KNOW HOW IT WAS BECAUSE HISTORY CHANGE EVERY MOMENT OF YOUR LIFE TIME....

[@PabluchoViision]

Some comments we agree with. Some are great. Then there’s the rare comment like yours: strange, deep, and I can’t stop thinking about it. Just beautiful!

[@maryannjamandre3642]

Wow

[@freddieblue6351]

Karen Carpenter sang the hell out of this song, I love Leon original too

[@brandirobinson8430]

😊💞💎

[@donnamccall8063]

Can’t handle the background music. 🎉😂

[@bluesman7703]

Carla brings her own booze to the gig , my kind of girl .

[@valentinarichard1602]

LOL

[@melodymakermark]

Booze, fruit, sodium….the girl was packin’

[@kevinmckenney7190]

Great piece of oral history...try not to forget how young and sexy she used to be...give her the respect she deserves...as it's clear she always respected Leon.

[@babyblueagle]

Thank you! 💙🦅

[@charleschampion4682]

Indian okie ladies rule.....

[@largemarge1603]

01:43 According to the captions, this is a portrait of 'K-poor boy'. Who is she?

[@babyblueagle]

She was a woman from Tulsa. She was a close friend of the musicians. She also dated a few of them. 💙

[@linnightl9277]

Great to hear the stories behind the stories - but damn, when talking of Leon Russell & Joe Cocker never again use a sequenced backing track like that. Seriously?!!

[@linnightl9277]

still a cool interview though

[@giovanna722]

@Angie H. What do you do for a living?

[@maccjw]

Hope I’m not being disrespectful but in the credits I don’t see the name of the Central Park robber, I loved Leon BTW.

[@babyblueagle]

😂

[@williamburdon6993]

RIP sweet lady.

[@chickeastwater9883]

The story is that good ,, i dealt with that background muzak ... but , couldn't all at one time. Why?! and it's too loud.

[@TRICK-OR-TREAT236]

LEON WAS NEVER LIKE THAT WHEN I NEWD EM.

[@tomharvey6961]

Please re-release this different background music, or better yet, with none. It adds nothing, and it's just completely wrong for this interview.

[@tomr5021]

What a Sweetheart

[@chrisbreedy2314]

Amazing story but too many missed opportunities ❤

[@artparty222murphy9]

Don’t stand on my darn kitchen floor

[@jackyblue67same10]

I think she is stuck on herself quite abit & maybe she stretches the truth some .

[@badtweed2087]

Exactly, comes off as a nasty ahole if you ax me.

[@James_Bowie]

I can see why Leon didn't last with this woman.

[@babyblueagle]

They were definitely meant to just be friends. 😉 Which they remained until the end of their days. 💙🦅

[@babyblueagle]

😂😂😂

[@sassymessmess9110]

She's Native American?? I could swear she was Black. Looks just like some of my relatives.

[@TheChurchStudio]

Yes. From Muskogee Creek Nation. She was very proud of her Native American heritage. 😊

[@berthalewis7910]

Miss, You have to understand, we are all mixed in together. There are Indian groups in every state and we mixed with all of them. She looks like Rosa Parks to me.

[@MsJoybird1]

I do not like this lady very much! She is pretending she is cool!

[@dirtyd7931]

Speeding like a formula one

[@anthonylilly6862]

This would have been a great interview if it hadn't had that creepy porno music playing the entire time

[@cindakellogg1307]

Gee...i have no idea what Claude saw in her!!

[@giovanna722]

Did you see the pictures of her when she was young?

[@DexterHaven]

9:42 Joe Cocker should have said, "I call your bluff; she's malicious, peevish, nasty, disagreeable and hard on the eyes too. So, I dare ya to shoot."

[@jasonmccormick876]

Carla is a nice person. She had stage 4 cancer during this interview, and passed away a short time later. We are grateful for our time with her. Thanks for watching.

[@babyblueagle]

Thank you Jason! 🙏

[@paxwallacejazz]

I guess it's not her job to tell coherent stories. Her attitudes aren't justified by the events her timelines are jumbled some missing info here whatever. Look the background music is both boring and unnecessary. Ok heroin. Leon wasn't a junkie frustrating narrative.

[@TheChurchStudio]

Thanks for commenting. Carla passed away shortly after this interview. She had cancer that had spread throughout her body. She had rarely been heard as far as her time with Leon so we appreciated her taking the time to visit with us. She was quite clear that Leon didn't want her around when she was using drugs.

[@lilivonshtup3808]

You need to direct your criticism inward. That's where it's really needed.

[@giovanna722]

@@TheChurchStudio Sorry to hear that!

[@badtweed2087]

Ditto, she rambles on and on and the background music is annoying af and does not fit at all. Drugs make for an addled brain.

[@babyblueagle]

She got clean & sober in 1982 and was a drug and alcohol counselor for the Native American community. She had stage 4 lung cancer, which had really spread throughout her body & brain at the time of this interview. Which was about a month before she passed away. The stories are true, yet a bit muddled. Some grace is so very much appreciated. 🙏 They remained friends and excellent co-parents as well. Thank you for watching! 💙🦅

[@7novalee]

What an angry bitter woman.

[@TheChurchStudio]

She was quite nice to us. This interview happened about a month before she passed away. She sadly lost her life to cancer.

[@MsJoybird1]

I do not like this woman! The woman is trying to be bigger than she is!

[@mandandanmandamayor3511]

Did you see her picture? She was stunning.

[@catmother4214]

No exaggeration. She was a very important part of Leon Russell's life. ♥️♥️♥️

[@babyblueagle]

No, she simply was not caught up in celebrity & fame. Which he really appreciated about her actually. She had stage 4 lung cancer, which had really spread throughout her body & brain at the time of this interview, which was about a month before she passed away. The stories are true, yet a bit muddled. Some grace is so very much appreciated. 🙏 They remained friends and excellent co-parents as well. Thank you! 💙🦅

[@petermcnally5646]

Z

[@kcsunshine6122]

Wow, what a demanding, difficult woman she portrays herself to have been. Apparently she thinks this is a good thing, lol

[@TheChurchStudio]

She has a lot of spunk. We were sad of her passing but grateful to have captured her at Leon's lake house studio.

[@methinks1507]

The Church Studio on Grand Lake with his white yacht?

[@terridavison9979]

Demanding and difficult just because she didn’t let others push her around?

[@badtweed2087]

I agree, she comes off as a piece of work. Yet she gets high fives for being that way, go figure. An ass hole is an ass hole regardless of background.

[@DexterHaven]

5:26 Leon was silly; leave; she's damaged goods. What a nuisance. I would have never given her a second look.