"Here is a woman who sings not like she means it, but like she's lived every last drop of it. says one review by Holly Gleason, CD Review Magazine.
The California Country Music Association selected Jann Browne as "Entertainer of the Year" two years in a row. In 1991, Browne was a nominee by the Academy of Country Music as "female vocalist" of the year. Her first album "Tell Me Why" produced two top twenty hits, along with a number one video on CMT. Jann once toured as female lead singer with grammy award winning Asleep at the Wheel and now her current band takes her around the world. She is a shining link in the Southern California americana roots tradition.
Jann's debut album for Curb Records entitled "Tell Me Why" featured world-class accompaniment from guitarists Alber Lee and James Burton, drummer John Molo of Bruce Hornsby and the Range and John Jorgensen of Elton John's band. It's no surprise that Emmylou Harris is a big Jann Browne fan. "There's something about the way she sings that is so pure and honest, and her writing is wonderful." Emmylou backed up her quote to the L.A, Times by singing with Jann on her first CD. The song "Mexican Wind", co written by Jann, became a number one video nationwide and was recorded by a variety of international artists.
A shift in musical style led Browne to co-produce her 3rd album, Count Me In, for European label Red Moon Records. ALthough the album was picked up by a stateside label, Browne spent time touring throughout Europe in support of "Count Me In" and "Four on the Floor" which was recorded Live in Berne, Switzerland. The Los Angeles Times pop critic named "Count Me In" as one of the three favorite albums of the year (along side Johnny Cash and Neil Young). Times critic Mike Boehm placed it first on his list callinig it "Cohesive, sumptuously melodic, emotionally vivid, and insightful." The song "Trouble's Here" caught country singer Lee Ann Womack's ear. It gave Browne and her co-writer and guitarist, Matthew Barnes, their first gold record.
Fans will agree it's been a long dry spell waiting for a new CD. "Missed me by a Mile" was her first stateside work since 1996 and received much critical acclaim. Browne and Barnes now have their own studio, (The Barn) own record label,(plan b records) and are in pursuit of finishing a new album. "Buckin' Around", a tribute album to Buck Owens takes Browne back to her roots. "I cut my teeth on Buck and Don Rich." It was always my favorite albums in my mom's west coast collections. I can remember being around 11 years old and sitting on our front porch swing in Georgetown Kentucky with a guitar, trying to learn "Love's Gonna Live Here." I've incorporated Buck songs throughout my shows for years. I attended Buck's funeral recently. I have the greatest respect for him and his music and the pleasure of hanging around him a few times. He said some nice things about me and my music. Those are things I"ll always remember. I felt very compelled to make an album from a female perspective. There'll never be another Buck and Don. But there can be those of us that thru voice, can keep the torch of their music alive." As Browne's friend Patty Booker says, "you can almost stick a fork in it", meaning the album should be "done" by Christmas. Jann Browne sings Buck like no other female vocalist. This, I can assure you.
