Rodney Brown

Born in Fort William [Thunder Bay] on November 11th, 1954 Brown began playing guitar at the age of 7 and he hasn’t stopped since. His teacher was his father, C&W singer Mel Brown. Rodney paid his dues playing the bars, pubs, and coffeehouses of Northwestern Ontario performing solo, with mandolinist Damon Dowbak and with several bands including R&B Airways and Whiskey Jack. When the bands split, Rodney continued on his solo career and in 1977, released his first album - Freedom in Me. It was distributed across Canada, and was exported to England and Japan. Promoting the record took him across the country, playing the folk festival circuit. His song "Somebody Give Me A Job" was heralded as the "National Anthem for the 1980's" by the Winnipeg Folk Festival.

Performances on CBC's, Morningside, Touch the Earth, Simply Folk and Country Roads followed and established performers like Daisy Debolt, Tom Jackson, Heather Bishop and Kim Deschamps began to include his songs in their repertoires. The CBC, TVO, Monitor North, and Kam Theater began to commission songs from him. In 1980 released his second CD, When The Bay Turns Blue. By this time Rodney was fronting his own band The Derailers, performing a unique fusion of country, blues, folk and reggae music.

In the mid-1980s, Brown was drawn to the joys of working with children after completing a project with First Na tions students in Mine Centre. He spent the next decade working with children, continuing to write and perform his own material, although working with children and schools meant a hiatus from touring. He also used this time to spend with his growing familyand to release two highly successful children’s albums - Wishes, Dreams and Giants in 1989 and We Have a Song to Sing in 1993. In 1998, Rodney was back in the studio recording his seventh album, Merry Christmas To You.

Rodney Brown's 2001 CD Into the Woods marked a return to the national folk music circuit. While touring with the Northern Roots Band and Ian Tamblyn Rodney began researching early stories of his hometown’s namesake William McGillivray and The Big Lonely CD was born.

The Big Lonely A collection of thirteen songs based on the important role Fort William played during the years it was headquarters for the North West Company. Rodney writes: "The early history of Fort William marked the beginnings of Western Canada. It is very discouraging when the Hudson's Bay Company receives credit for all the hard work the Nor Westers did in the making of Western Canada. The Big Lonely will help make people aware of the important role the Company Of Canadians played while headquartered here at Fort William." "Brown has created in song a vivid history..Little known tales of voyageurs, Ojibways, William McGillivray, David Thompson and Lord Selkirk are are played out with skill. A fantastic group of players..A slice of history of the Northwest and a testament to the musical talent of Thunder Bay not to be missed." - The Chronicle Journal. CD Price: $14.97

Into the Woods Rodney's first album for adults in nearly a decade. The thirteen original compositions on the new CD tell stories of the lives and loves and social issues experienced by the people of Northwestern Ontario. Produced by Ian Tamblyn, the album's rich sounds carry through from the opening track right til the very last note. Into the Woods has garnered praise from critics all over Canada, and has been featured on CBC’s Definitely Not the Opera. With the release of Into the Woods, Rodney Brown has continued to tell the stories of Northwestern Ontario in song, and to paint pictures of life and love and lessons learned - in the place he has chosen to call home! CD Price: $14.97

Merry Christmas to You A wonderful collection of Rodney's favourite Christmas songs. Featuring 12 traditional songs and 1 original composition (title track, "Merry Christmas to You") Rodney's distinct style and flair has been added to Christmas songs both old and new to make this album one to be enjoyed by people of all ages for years to come. CD Price: $14.97

We Have a Song to Sing Features songs Rodney has co-written during his workshops with students from various Northern Ontario, Canada schools. The album features both original compositions and some old favourites, ranging in styles from Rock & Roll to Folk and Country with songs in 4 languages - English, French, Spanish and Ojibway. Children and Families everywhere will love this positive and uplifting album - which definitely has that "play it again" quality. CD Price: $14.97

Wishes, Dreams and Giants A collection of experiences about Childhood in Northern Ontario. Songs like "Grassy Narrows" about the joys of growing up on a Reserve, or "If You Live in Northern Ontario, You Better Like Snow", directly relate to children's experiences and transport the audience from a relaxing summer evening to an icy cold adventure. This album encourages children to learn about different cultures, find solutions for everyday problems, and explore their imaginations with songs like "Abiyoyo", a song about a mega giant who loves to sing and dance. Gertrude the Guitar, Dulcie the Dulcimer and Bill the Bilingual Banjo are accompanied by claves, maracas, tambourines and triangles on this multi-lingual album which features songs in English, French Spanish, Ojibway and Oji-Cree. CD Price: $14.97

When The Bay Turns Blue Rodney Brown's second album, released in 1980, with all songs written or co-written by Rodney. CD Price: $14.97

Freedom in Me Released in 1977, this is Rodney's first independent album. This album was recorded in various locations around Thunder Bay with several of Thunder Bay, Ontario's finest musicians. Freedom in Me was distributed across Canada, and has been exported as far away as England and Japan. The album garnered national attention and acclaim and was featured on CBC Radio's Morningside, Touch the Earth and Country Roads. CD Price: $14.97