Spotlight on... with Janne GuitarGirl

I first saw Graham Brown or 'Brownie' performing at The Junction in Thames when I travelled there with muso friends Stephen Calvert and Graham Jones, who backed me on bass guitar and harmonica when I played some of my original songs at an afternoon event run by The LMM Club.

'Brownie' had that classic blues sound with his guitar style and the voice to go with it.

Graham, like myself, was the youngest of his siblings, and he started his musical journey playing in a high school band. He learned the trumpet and ending up playing in a concert band in Rotorua.

He picked up a guitar at age 26 and learnt to play it, and started to write originals, as it just 'felt right'.

He then played in a few covers/originals bands, and moved to Western Australia to spend six years performing at pubs, clubs, festivals, concerts, and at private and corporate events. This gave him valuable experience and helped hone his entertainment skills.

Highlights of Brownie's career have been performing at the Australian Summer Nats Hot Rod Show, and also at Country and Blues festivals, playing alongside some amazingly talented fellow musicians.

Now living back in New Zealand, Graham is working on recording his first album, which he admits has been 'a long time coming'. He has been inspired by Elvis, Bowie, Dire Straits, Gary Moore and many others

If you enjoy blues/country/rock then come along and check out Bluesman Brown, playing at the Brew Bar on The Strand this Saturday, May 27, 4-7pm.