A country music singer-songwriter and guitarist known for his unique blend of honky-tonk, rockabilly, and traditional country styles, as well as his invention of the "guit-steel," a hybrid of a guitar and steel guitar.
Known for his unique instrumental invention, the guit-steel, Junior Brown is an American country guitarist and singer who has made a lasting impact on the music industry. With his signature instrument, a hybrid of electric guitar and lap steel guitar, Brown has charted twice on the Billboard country singles charts and released twelve studio albums in his career.
Born on June 12, 1952, in Cottonwood, Arizona, Brown's family moved to Kirksville, Indiana, when he was just a young boy. He first learned to play piano from his father, Samuel Emmons Brown Jr., before he could even talk. Brown's music career began in the 1960s, and he worked through that decade and the next, singing and playing pedal steel and guitar for groups such as The Last Mile Ramblers, Dusty Drapes and the Dusters, Billy Spears, and Asleep at the Wheel, while developing his guitar skills.
In the early 1980s, Brown created a new type of double-neck guitar, with some assistance from Michael Stevens. Brown called the instrument his guit-steel. When performing, Brown plays the guitar by standing behind it, while it rests on a small music stand. The top neck on the guit-steel is a traditional six-string guitar, while the lower neck is a full-size lap steel guitar for slide playing. Brown has two guit-steels for recording and live work, named Old Yeller and Big Red.
In the mid-1980s, Brown was teaching guitar at the Hank Thompson School of Country Music at Rogers State University, in Claremore, Oklahoma. He has been an inspiration to many young musicians, and his unique playing style has influenced a generation of country and rock musicians.
Brown has received critical acclaim for his unique playing style and has been nominated for several awards, including a Grammy nomination for Best Country Instrumental Performance.
Junior Brown's contributions to country music have been immense, and his unique playing style has inspired a generation of musicians. His guit-steel has become an iconic instrument in country music, and his influence can be heard in the music of many contemporary country artists.
Brown continues to tour and record music to this day, and his legacy as one of the most innovative and influential country musicians of all time is secure. His unique playing style and instrument have made him a beloved figure in country music, and his music remains popular to this day.
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