T. time

Published 11:30 am Wednesday, June 8, 2016

LAKE PARK, Ga. — Country star T. Graham Brown spent last Saturday night playing the Grand Ole Opry, sharing with a new musician he’d played the legendary venue about 300 times.

Brown is scheduled to headline the first Peach State Bluegrass & Classic Country Music Jamboree this weekend in Lowndes County. Brown said in a telephone interview that it is the first time he’s played the Valdosta area in several years.

Brown is Georgia born, a native of Arabi. He had a string of country hits in the 1980s. Songs such as “Hell and High Water,” “Don’t Go To Strangers,” “Darlene.” “Memphis Women and Chicken” became a No. 1 song on the Cashbox Blues chart in 2013. Last year, he had a No. 1 duet with Vince Gill, “He’ll Take Care of You,” and a 1998 Song of the Year hit “Wine Into Water” both on the Power Source Christian Country chart.

“Wine Into Water” is one of the tracks on “Full Circle,” Loretta Lynn’s recently released album.

“Isn’t that cool?” Brown said, referring to Lynn recording his song about an alcoholic seeking a miracle by asking Jesus to turn wine into water.

For Brown, the cool thing about his career has been working with legends.

“I’ve been lucky enough to get to play with all of the one-name stars — Waylon, Willie, Merle, Tammy,” Brown said. “The best part of my whole deal is I’ve got to work with my heroes and they actually liked me.”

He has included a tribute to the recently departed Merle Haggard during his shows.

Brown said his show reflects his “confused” love of musical influences. Audiences can expect to hear country, gospel, R&B. Brown said he mostly listens to classic rock on the radio.

As for new music, he said, “I have no idea what they’re doing. I don’t listen to it.”

In picking his music, he said, “I’m so confused I don’t know which way to go. I just like different stuff. I listen to whatever I feel like listening to that day.”

Audiences can expect to hear Brown’s hits and possibly unexpected songs by other artists.

“I don’t worry about it,” he said. “I play what I want to play and the audience seems to like it. I haven’t been booed off the stage.”

Brown said he works regularly still. He was nominated for a Grammy in 2014 for the album “Forever Changed.” He plays the Opry. He travels to shows of various sizes. He still writes songs though he admitted, “I’m a lazy songwriter. I write better under a deadline.”

“I’ve had a good career,” Brown said. “I’ve had a good run. I never was a huge star but I had a good run.”

Brown headlines a bill scheduled to include musical acts Pure and Simple, Dosta Bluegrass Connection, Blue Holler, Martengale, Family Tradition, Tracy Starling & Runnin’ Waters Bluegrass Band. Brown is scheduled to play Saturday night. Wagner Park Event Venue hosts the jamboree at 2316 Old Clyattville Road. The jamboree opens noon Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday. Tickets: $20, Saturday; $10, Sunday; $25, two-day pass; children’s prices also available. More information: Call (229) 740-3416; or visit the Peach State Bluegrass & Classic Country Music Jamboree Facebook site.