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know the blues... Artists
Ernest Brown was born in Meridian
MS on October 21, 1942. Being born to a family of both artists and musicians, it
was not long before he picked up an instrument. Ernie credits his Dad's baby
brother with inspiring him to play the harmonica. So at the age of 4 or 5,
before he entered school, Ernie was playing the harmonica. By the age of 13 or
14, Ernie was playing for singing groups on street corners of Chicago. It was at
this time that Ernie got the nickname "Sugarlips" because of the sweetness of
his playing. About 15 years ago Ernie started losing his eyesight. This didn't
hamper his keen ear for music, in fact it may have enhanced it as evidenced by
his ability to match the key of the music by ear. Eventually,
Ernie started playing with "The Brothers Three" and gives special credit to
"Whistling" Jack Jordan and Willie Gauge. He also spent several years with a
country band, the C.C. Band, led by Wanda Rae where his country licks and tunes
were just the blues played differently. More recently Ernie played with the Port
Blues Band. He would like to give a special thanks to Bob Lowther and Dave
Stein, Clyde Cole, Harvey Wilhelm, and Frank Whalen of the Port Blues Band for
reuniting for the Ike Gulbrantson Benefit of the CROSSROADS BLUES SOCIETY. Over the years Ernie has performed with many musicians. These include Pinetop Perkins, Lightning Hopkins and Jimmie Lee Robinson. He was also motivated by Little Walter in Chicago and keyboard player Sunnyland Slim and Drummer Kansas City Red in Chicago and Kansas City. I got to see Ernie reunite with Jimmie Lee Robinson at the Rockford Blues Fest and, after all the years apart, they blended beautifully together on stage. That was the real blues. Roscoe Gordon
was Ernie's second cousin. Roscoe wrote several blues tunes including "Just a
Little Bit" and "No More Doggin'". Ernie plays "No More Doggin'" quite often and
has put it on his CD which is entitled "Ernie & the Po' Boys EN THE STUDIO-ON
THE STAGE". Ernie plays all types of music.
This includes spirituals, traditional, country, R & B, and the blues which is
now Ernie's place in music. To hear him is to know that his playing of the blues
is an expression of his feelings from his heart and soul. His sound is unique
and does not need a trick amp or mic. He also has the ability to cross the harp
to other keys and create sounds that make you almost cry or feel really good.
Listening to Ernie play "Summertime" or "Amazing Grace" on the chromatic harp
will let you feel where he comes from. To him the blues are not about money or
fame but is, as Ernie says,"a story you tell with your feel for the music" and
he wants you come on this journey with him. This he does effectively. Ernie likes to thank God and the
people who have influenced him in his life Ernie can sit and tell you many
stories but the place to hear them for real is when he sits on stage, where he
is most comfortable, and he lets out all the stops. This is his world. I met Ernie
Brown about four years ago when I was looking for a harp teacher. He has become
a good friend and I consider him to be a kind, gentle, caring person. Even
though I sound like a tin whistle next to the master, I am learning the blues
and the feel of it and I enjoy it immensely. Many thanks to Ernie. Check out the
CD "Ernie & the Po' Boys IN THE STUDIO-ON THE STAGE." The musicians featured are
"Piano" Bob Lowther on the keyboard and vocals, Larry "Guitar" Pendleton on the
guitar and vocals, "Link" Leary on the drums, and "Big Vie" Wattes on the bass
and vocals. This is a kick-butt blues CD. Article written by Joe Poluyanskis A.K.A. "Harmonica Joe"
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