The Scene with Doreen

The Scene with Doreen

Episode 32 | Country Music Star T. Graham Brown | 12-14-23 Download

00:59 Download December 14th, 2023

It was one of the most vibrant and exciting time periods in Country Music history – the mid-1980s. A new and exciting crop of talents were springing up all over the place – and T. Graham Brown remembers it like it was yesterday.

“I remember Randy Travis and I hit at about the same time,” he recalls. “Our first singles were so close to each other. I’m not sure if it was the same week or not. Then you had Marty Stuart, Billy Burnette – who went on to Fleetwood Mac. Steve Earle was there, too. I saw him at the Grand Ole Opry a few weeks ago, and we talked about that year. We had a great year. We called our club ‘The Great Credibility Scare of 1986.’ All of us were having fun, there was no competition between us, and we all loved each other. Keith Whitley was one of my best friends, as well, and we were touring together a lot. It was a great time.”

Brown’s initial entry to Country Radio was the sad and soulful “Drowning In Memories.” That Top-40 single helped him to establish himself, and by the winter of 1986, he had warmed up to audiences with the bluesy hit “I Tell It Like It Used To Be.” Other hits quickly followed, with his first self-penned release “Hell And High Water,” which became his first number one song. “I Wish That I Could Hurt That Way Again” and “Don’t Go To Strangers” were the next releases, which all became chart-toppers.

The soulful vocal stylings of T. Graham Brown were all over the airwaves, as his sophomore release Brilliant Conversationalist added more titles to his arsenal of hits, such as the seductive “The Last Resort,” and “She Couldn’t Love Me Anymore.” It was a time period that Brown sums up as something of a blur.

“Doing shows, visiting radio stations and promoting our records, kept me out on the road over 300 days a year and that was a lot of traveling! This was when I was on tour with Kenny Rogers, who was the biggest thing going back then. I was learning so much about the business and having the time of my life. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!”

His audiences continued to make him a radio favorite as he continued to amass more hits like “Darlene,” the smash duet “Don’t Go Out” with Tanya Tucker, and the regret-filled “If You Could Only See Me Now.”

At the same time his singles were climbing the charts, T.’s powerful voice could also be heard on radio and television. His sense of style provided the platform for a successful series of cameos in commercials for international brands such as Coca-Cola, Harrah’s Casino, Burger King, and Taco Bell. It’s his work with the popular Mexican eatery that he is perhaps best known, with a series of commercials under the mantra “Run For The Border,” a campaign that lasted four years. Brown says it was an exciting time – and one where he ate more than his share of Meximelts and Nachos Bell Grande dishes!

As the 80s progressed into the next decade, Brown continued to flex his artistic muscle. A well-received concert album enabled him a chance to pay homage to his early influences, like the incomparable Otis Redding, and his hero George Jones, who he teamed up with on several projects, including the CMA Award-winning Vocal Event of the Year release, “I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair.”

It was a gripping 1998 release about his battles with alcohol – “Wine Into Water”- which helped him introduce his music to the Christian audiences. This iconic song has been recorded by over a hundred artists, most recently by Loretta Lynn, on her critically acclaimed project, Full Circle.

In recent years, his first-ever Gospel album, Forever Changed, netted him a Grammy nomination, with the promise of more such music on the way. A collaboration from the disc, “He’ll Take Care of You,” paired him with Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill.

Now entering his fifth decade as an entertainer, T. Graham Brown continues to branch out in his career. Before moving to Nashville in 1982, he made a few cameos in feature films, including 1977’s Greased Lightning with Richard Pryor. More recently, he’s started acting again, and his colorful personality can be seen in such films as Saving Samuel and Ticket To Nashville. He is also featured in the television series The Dream Motel, which contains a unique premise.

“It’s a Christian-based Fantasy Island meets The Twilight Zone,’ says the artist known affectionately as His T-Ness. “Guests at The Dream Motel find themselves face to face with their past, their present and their future. All things are possible for guests at The Dream Motel.”

He even acted in the stage play, A Scattered, Smothered, Covered Christmas, the Waffle House Musical, where “Wine Into Water” was chosen for the score.

That being said, there’s not much that Brown would change. His career continues to sail along at a pace that seems to suit him well these days.

“I’m having more fun out there now than I ever have had. I’m not out there chasing the hits. I’m just trying to stay out there. We’re planning on doing another Gospel record later this year. I’m doing some acting, which I am enjoying. I’m no great actor, but as long as they keep calling me, I’ll keep doing it. It’s a lot of fun.”

And, for T. Graham Brown, it’s all about a career that he enjoys. He’ll tell you with a grin, “I’ve got a band and a bus, and I’ll keep taking the music to the people as long as God lets me. It’s what I love to do!”

Podcasts you may like

Primetime with The Playmakers

Play Latest (February 10th)

2 episodes

The Motor Crew

The Motor Crew consists of four friends and work partners that will have weekly discussions about their favorite obsession – cars. As well as working in the industry, these four have a deep affection for all wheeled things from every corner of the globe – and don’t hold back on what they love and why. A show geared for the car enthusiast, the Motor Crew will invite friends along to bring their passion to the table, and share what motivates them about their favorite rides.

Play Latest (February 6th)

4 episodes

Unscripted Real Estate Talk

Are you a homeowner, investor, or aspiring real estate pro? Unscripted Real Estate Talk is the podcast
you’ve been waiting for! Hosted by Craig Lerch, a luxury real estate expert with over 36 years of experience
and 4,000+ successful transactions, this show offers an unfiltered, insider look at the real estate world.

Play Latest (February 12th)

5 episodes

The PoweredbyPMC Podcast

The PoweredbyPMC Podcast is all about showcasing, inspiring, and celebrating the everyday heroes and community changemakers who’ve built their foundations on something solid—physically, mentally, spiritually, or financially. We dive into their backstories, explore the way they approach and lead their lives, and share the insights that helped them along the way. By tuning in, you’ll gain a fresh perspective on tackling similar challenges in your own life, potentially shifting how you see the world. More than just maintenance and repair, we’re here to build real community connections and spark new ideas—one story at a time.

Play Latest (February 5th)

4 episodes

BONDING TIME with Counselor Kacey

Kacey Bond has been a counselor for 16 years, working with numerous ages and populations. She earned her Master’s Degree in Counseling & Psychology from West Chester University. BONDING TIME with Counselor Kacey is about life and the ultimate pursuit of happiness.

Play Latest (February 8th)

5 episodes