Dewey & Leslie Brown Interview by Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show
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What is your latest CD and how’s it doing?
Our debut album is Under The Mountain and it’s doing great! We have had 2 songs debut in the top 10 Bluegrass Today charts, and also just accepted the “Traditional Bluegrass Album of the Year” award from the Rural Roots Commission, so we are very blessed!
How did you choose the title for the CD? Is there a story behind the name?
There is a story behind the name, it was actually a suggestion from a really good friend.
The album really references my upbringing being a coal miner’s daughter so we thought the name was very appropriate relating to things that happen
Under The Mountain.
Please tell us about the songs on your album (influences, etc).
12 of the 14 songs were written by Leslie and many of them are related to her upbringing
in the mountains of Southwest Virginia, and her dad being a coal miner… that’s where a lot of the songwriting influences come from. The style of singing is influenced by artists such as Dr.Ralph Stanley and Patty Loveless.
Your current single is being played by radio. What do you feel is special about this song that makes people want to hear it?
Leslie: Our single “Those Old Mountains” is very much like my theme song, it really tells
the story of my life and people seem to relate to it as they listen and take a walk down memory lane.
What kind of songs do you like to record the most?
We really like to record our original music the most because we feel like it defines and
differentiates us as artists. We are very proud of that aspect of what we do
What is your favorite song among all the songs you have recorded and what’s
the story behind it?
Probably would be “Ultimate Sacrifice,” which is a gospel song that really gives God the
Glory for sacrificing His only Son so that we might have everlasting life. We give God all the praise for our many blessings and this song just reminds us of what He gave for us, the
ultimate sacrifice.
What moments in your career stand out in your memory as highlights and achievements which you are proud of?
Dewey: There many moments that stand out like playing Carnegie Hall, playing for the Queen of England and performing on the Grand Ole Opry, but just having the honor of working with Dr. Ralph Stanley is something I’m very proud of and to be able to carry on now with my wife, Leslie.. it’s all a highlight for me.
Leslie: Well having so many kind words about our performances and my songwriting ability is definitely a highlight, but it was truly an honor to receive the “Traditional Bluegrass Album of the Year” from the Rural Roots Commission!
Is there any place you haven’t played that you would like to?
Well Dewey has played the Grand Ole Opry but I have not, we would like to achieve that goal with our band someday soon.
What’s your favorite song that you wish you could have recorded?
“Old Richmond Prison” – we perform that on our show and it really goes over well, we both
love that song. We really are inspired and influenced by the late great Dr. Ralph Stanley and his recording of that song will just send chills all over you!
Describe what a perfect day is like for you.
A perfect day is really any day that we wake up healthy, together and with our children.
We are so blessed and try not to take anything for granted. Life is too short to worry about things that are just not important.