An unpretentious, compelling, and humorous performer with a dark, rich, idiosyncratic voice, Greg Brown is, hands down, one of America's great singer-songwriters. His insightful lyrics paint powerful and often deceptively simple images on a canvas of gospel, blues, country, rock, and jazz. Everyone from Willie Nelson to Carlos Santana has covered his songs. The son of a guitar-playing poet and a banjo-picking Pentecostal preacher, he was born in the Hacklebarney section of southeastern Iowa. At age 10 he found a Big Bill Broonzy album in Kansas, and his fate was sealed. Years later, he landed a job running hootenannies at Gerdes Folk City in the Village. Over time he recorded a spate of critically acclaimed records and earned his way into the most prestigious theaters and festivals throughout the country.