Kenny Brown

In his younger years, hill country bluesman Kenny Brown studied and played alongside some of North Mississippi’s greatest talents, including his mentor Joe Callicott, frequent collaborator R.L. Burnside, and the late, great Junior Kimbrough. Now that these legends are gone, Brown has taken the reins as an elder blues statesman in a way that would undoubtedly make his predecessors proud. Raised in northern Mississippi, Brown began absorbing the music of his community at a young age and seemed destined for a career in music. After two decades of successfully touring and recording as a sideman with other artists, the dexterous slide guitarist finally released his solo debut, 1996’s Goin’ Back to Mississippi. As an established solo artist, Brown has continued to regularly record and tour and made a memorable appearance in the 2006 film Black Snake Moan. For years, he and his wife Sara also hosted the North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic, a two-day celebration honoring the hypnotic music that he has helped bring to the forefront.