COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME MEMBER
BONNIE BROWN DIES AT 77


 

July 31, 1938 – July 16, 2016
 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 16, 2016) – Bonnie Brown Ring, one-third of one of Country Music’s most enduring family groups as a member of The Browns, passed away earlier today (July 16) at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas following complications from lung cancer. She was 77 years old.

Born July 31, 1938 in Sparkman, Arkansas, Brown became enamored with music at an early age – thanks to the exposure she had to it from watching her older siblings, Maxine and James Edward. The two performed together, earning a hit in 1954 with “Looking Back To See.” Upon her graduation from high school, Bonnie joined her siblings, expanding their duet into a trio.

They began performing together on The Louisiana Hayride on KWKH in Shreveport, which led to appearances on ABC-TV’s Ozark Jubilee. Chet Atkins and RCA came calling soon after, and the Browns found themselves on the chart with hits such as “I Take The Chance” and “I Heard The Bluebirds Sing.” James Edward (now known as Jim Ed) was drafted in 1957, but the trio still managed to find time to record when he was on leave.

By 1959, the group recorded what would turn out to be one of the biggest hits of the era in “The Three Bells.” The song topped the Billboard Country charts – their first, and also crossed over to the apex of the Hot 100. The exposure of that hit led to appearances on every major variety series of the day, such as The Ed Sullivan Show. With her southern charm and stunning looks, Brown attracted the attention of many of the hottest male artists of the day, including Elvis Presley. The hits continued, with “Scarlet Ribbons,” “The Old Lamplighter,” and “Then I’ll Stop Loving You” all being showcases for their rich harmonies, where Bonnie sang the high harmony parts. The Grand Ole Opry came calling in 1963, inviting The Browns to become members.

Still a touring and recording favorite, Bonnie and Maxine decided to leave the trio in 1967 – citing a desire to spend more time with their growing families. Jim Ed continued on as a performer, with hits to his credit such as “Pop A Top.” He also remained a member of the Opry, where his sisters would join him from time to time.

In March of 2015, it was announced that The Browns would be among the new inductees for the new class of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Jim Ed passed away following his own battle with cancer prior to the official Medallion Ceremony that fall, though he was presented with his medallion a few days prior to his passing. Not too long after the Hall of Fame announcement, Bonnie announced that she too had been diagnosed with cancer, but was in attendance at the Hall for the induction ceremony in October.

The music of the Browns was known and loved all over the world, prompting the Country Music Hall of Fame CEO Kyle Young to say “When Bonnie Brown joined her brother, Jim Ed, and her sister, Maxine, in song, the siblings created an incomparable harmony: the smoothest and most elegant blend in country music. Bonnie offered harmony offstage as well. She brought people together with regal grace and kindness. She lived a remarkable life, singing on grand stages, raising a beloved family, entering the Country Music Hall of Fame, and breaking up with young Elvis Presley because he was, she said, a lousy kisser. Today, she is reunited with Jim Ed, and with her husband of 56 years, Brownie Ring.”

Bonnie Brown is survived by two daughters, Kelly (Ed) Bulleit, and Robin (Rob) Shaver, Kelly’s children, Clark, Kendall, and Raleigh, as well as Robin’s offspring, Skylar and Stone, and of course, by her sister, Maxine.

 

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JIM ED BROWN SET TO RELEASE FIRST SOLO ALBUM, IN STYLE AGAIN, IN 30 YEARS

 

In Style Again features duets with Vince Gill, The Whites, and reunites The Browns

Country Music fans have a good reason to look forward to 2015. Longtime fan favorite Jim Ed Brown will be returning with his first solo recording in three decades with the January release of In Style Again, his debut project for Plowboy Records. “I love new music.” said Brown about his new disc. “I guess the whole world does. It’s always good to hear a new song. I love what I do. People have always been great to me. They have accepted me into their homes and lives. It’s unreal what radio and television has done for me. I am a very blessed man.”

One of the most timeless voices in Country history, Brown has the distinction of having hits on the chart as a member of a trio (His recording partnership with sisters Maxine and Bonnie as The Browns earned them hits with “I Heard The Bluebirds Sing,” “Scarlet Ribbons,” and the 1959 million-selling “The Three Bells”), a solo artist (with hits like the iconic “Pop A Top,” “Southern Loving,” and “Morning”), and as part of a CMA Award winning partnership with Helen Cornelius (The two recorded many classics from 1976-1981, including “I Don’t Want To Have To Marry You,” and “Lying In Love With You” - which was one of the first major hits penned by Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Dean Dillon.)

In Style Again neatly brings together all phases of Brown’s historic career. “When The Sun Says Hello To The Morning” features the distinctve harmonies of his sisters. Brown says reuniting with his sisters is a dream come true. “I’ve had a song in mind for all those years. In fact, I had a copy of it that I picked up when I was in Europe that I have kept for so many years. I thought ‘Why don’t I see if I can’t get them to record one more time with me?”

The album also features twelve solo performances from the singer. But, when an artist as important as Jim Ed Brown steps into the recording studio, other artists naturally want to follow. He is joined on “Tried and True “ and “You Again“ by fellow Grand Ole Opry members Vince Gill and The Whites, respectively. He also reunites with Cornelius on the Carl and Pearl Butler chestnut “Don’t Let Me Cross Over.”

All but one of the cuts on In Style Again were produced by veteran journalist Don Cusic, while the title cut was produced by longtime Brown friend Bobby Bare. “Last year, we were talking, and I said ‘Bobby, I want you to produce a record for me.’ He had been doing some things with his son and some other people. He said ‘Give me a call,’ so I found this song, and I called him. He did a great job on it.”

In Style Again teams Brown up with Shannon Pollard and Plowboy Records. The partnership makes musical sense as the label takes its’ name from Pollard’s grandfather, “The Tennessee Plowboy,” Eddy Arnold. Brown’s warm and tender style has often been compared to that of Arnold, whom he has shared many a stage with.

Brown is also familiar to audiences through his extensive work in television, with his Country Place syndicated series in the early 1970s, Nashville On The Road from 1975-1981, and You Can Be A Star and Going My Way from the 1980s. Brown was also the commerical spokesperson for Dollar General Stores for well over a decade. Since 1963, Brown has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry. His weekly radio show,Country Music Greats Radio Show, is heard on over 200 radio stations per week. The first single from In Style Again will be released soon.

For more information, visit: www.JimEdBrown.com