from the producer: The Songs of Carson Brown is a collection written by my grandfather, Southwest Virginia native Carson Brown. In the spring of 2010, I was home for a visit when my grandfather mentioned, to my surprise, that he had been writing songs and would like to run them by me...this was not long after his 80th birthday! Now what with me being in the "recording songs business" and all, of course I had to record them. These songs have a beautiful viewpoint from a man who has given an entire lifetime of service to his wife and family, his God, and his community. They speak of both the joys and challenges of this world while embracing the dawn of the next. The songs: 1. Intro- This is him telling me about "When the Hand Writes On The Wall". It is the very first thing we ever recorded. 2. When the Hand Writes On The Wall- This song was written as somewhat of a love note to my grandmother, Betty Brown, with the notion of "if I go first, and you remain." Featuring Daniel Davis of Folk Soul Revival on lead vocals. 3. Thinking About You- The opposite scenario to "When the Hand Writes On The Wall", it's the idea that your lifelong love would "go first". One week after their 62nd wedding anniversary in March 2012, she did just that. This is dedicated to the loving memory of Betty Brown, you are truly missed. Featuring Dave Roe on lead vocals. 4. On High- A wonderful little hillbilly gospel number about faith and hope featuring Dave Roe on lead vocals. 5. Amazing Grace- this is a snippet of Carson Brown himself singing and playing his version of Amazing Grace from the original "demo" sessions. This is one of my favorite recordings…ever. 6. Good Times- Life's not always peaches and cream. Featuring Daniel Davis and Carey Kotsionis on lead vocals, Johnny and June style. The gang vocals were sung by four generations of family after Christmas dinner, 2012. 7. Ain't Gonna Drink Anymore- This song was the first one he wrote, and since it was written for me, it features yours truly Chad Brown on the lead vocals. Once again, it also features four generations of our family singing gang vocals, and in a way, it feels like they're yelling at me. The cover photo is of my grandparents in the spring of 1949, on their first date. It was my grandfather's Garden High School senior day. They rode in the back of a coal truck with friends to Hungry Mother State Park in Marion, VA to celebrate where, as a consolation prize, my grandmother got the measles. Thanks and enjoy, Chad Brown Without these folks, this would not have been possible. Musicians: drums- Brad Pemberton bass- Dave Roe guitar- Kenny Vaughn, Andre Lascoutx, Kevin Teel piano- Micah Hulscher steel and sax- Jim Hoke trumpet- Larry Hanson fiddle and mandolin- Steve Thomas background vocals- Dave Roe and Regina McCrary gang vocals- the descendants of Carson Brown produced and engineered by Chad Brown recorded at Studio G! mixed at The Toy Box Studios Mastered by John Baldwin Jr. Artwork by Patrick Dennis