T. Graham Brown heading From Memphis to Muscle Shoals with new album due August 2nd

Inducted into Grand Ole Opry by Vince Gill ahead of summer tour

T. Graham Brown is a rarity. His voice is equally at home in Blues, Americana, R&B and – of course – Country.  Since landing in Nashville in 1982 from his home in Arabi, Georgia, he has become a musical National Treasure, often described as “a musician’s musician,” revered and appreciated as much by fellow musicians as by his fans – perhaps more so.

His latest project is From Memphis to Muscle Shoals, poised for national release Friday, August 2^nd, 2024 via Warner Music Group-ADA. Pre-order/pre-save the album here.

The album reflects T. Graham’s deep love and appreciation for Rhythm & Blues and the artists that he has loved and listened to over the years. I recall talking with T. Graham several years ago during Country Radio Seminar (CRS) and he talked about his goal to do a full album of some of his favorite R&B tracks.

More recently, as he finally prepared for the album’s release, he posted, “I had the idea to do a soul tribute album for probably the last twenty years.  When the opportunity came up, we jumped on it. We went down to Muscle Shoals, the heartbeat of soul music. Billy Lawson (co-producer) and I cut fourteen tracks and I started asking friends to sing on it with me.”

Of the fourteen tracks, ten are duets with some of his favorite artists across the spectrum of musical genres, including Wynonna, Little Anthony, Dwight Yoakam, Sammy Hagar, Sam Moore, Zach Williams, Randy Houser, Delbert McClinton, Bettye Lavette and Eddie Floyd. Tracks include: ”Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay,” “Soul Man,” “I’m Your Puppet,” “Slip Away,” “Knock On Wood” and more.

“The first single, ‘The Dark End Of The Street’ is one of the greatest cheating songs ever written,” noted T. Graham. “I wanted Tanya Tucker on it because we are old friends. We have done duets before, including one big hit. She’s sultry, and I knew this was the perfect song for us to do together…she said yes….and she did an awesome job on it."

Listen to T. Graham Brown and Tanya Tucker’s duet on “The Dark End Of The Street” here.

T. Graham and Tanya go way back: In 1990 the pair were nominated for Vocal Event of the Year at the CMA Awards for “Don’t Go Out.”  In 1991, they received the nomination for Top Vocal Duo of the Year at the ACM Awards, and for Vocal Collaboration of the Year at the TNN/Music City News Awards

“This album was a lot of fun,” said T. Graham, recalling the recording sessions in Muscle Shoals. “We cut it to be authentic to the mid-60s. We used the same instrumentation, the horn sections, and we even used some of the instruments and equipment that were used on the original tracks at the historic Fame Studios. I think this is the ‘truest’ album possible."

In addition to the upcoming album, on May 3^rd, T. Graham Brown was inducted as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry by Opry member Vince Gill.  Together they were joined onstage by Opry members John Conlee, The Isaacs, Don Schlitz, Jeannie Seely and Mark Wills who all wanted to be a part of the induction and welcoming Brown to the family. 

“As great as this night is for you, you have to know it is equally as great to us,” said Gill. “I brought all the other members out to the stage be a part of this for you tonight because you are now a part of our family. And the family that goes on here is way deeper than any hit song you’ll ever have. Congratulations and welcome.”

During his performance Brown performed several of his biggest hits including “I Tell It Like It Used To Be” and “Darlene” and he brought the crowd to its feet as Jimmy Fortune joined him on “Wine Into Water.”

Watch the video of the Opry induction here.

Prior to From Memphis to Muscle Shoals, T. Graham Brown has recorded thirteen studio albums and has charted more than twenty singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, three of which reached Number One, including one of my all-time favorite songs, “Hell and High Water.”  

His touring scheduled is as packed as ever.  He is currently on the road with his I Tell It Like It Used To Be Tour. Find tour dates and ticket info at his website with updates at Facebook  and all socials (#TGrahamBrown).