singer-songwriter
GREG BROWN with Pieta Brown & Bo Ramsey


January 15, 2005 - 7:30 pm
Lensic Performing Arts Center, Santa Fe
211 W. San Francisco
$25, $29, $33, $37 reserved

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. Eight years later, he won a contest to open for singer Eric Andersen in Iowa City. Soon thereafter, he landed a job running hootenannies at Gerdes Folk City in the Village. Over time he recorded a spate of critically acclaimed records and began touring nationally, earning his way into the most prestigious theaters and festivals throughout the country. On his latest full-length release (his 18th), Honey in the Lion's Head, Greg pays tribute to the folk songs that influenced him in his youth. Thirsty Ear welcomes Greg Brown and friends for his first Santa Fe headlining performance.