We were lucky to catch up with Deb Brown recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Deb, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
I knew from a very young age that music would be a big part of my life, although I didn’t know to what extent. When I was a little girl I loved writing Christmas songs and doing shows for family, friends and neighbors. I spent endless hours singing along to any record I could get my hands on! I learned from a young age that I would not always be chosen, and that’s a tough lesson to learn. I remember plenty of heartaches and tears when I wasn’t chosen for a solo in choir or I wasn’t chosen for a part that I desperately wanted in the school play.
In the music business we all want to be supportive of each other, but competition is inevitable. By high school and college I learned that competition for me meant being my very best. The best way to achieve my goals was to practice and prepare, always try to improve on my previous attempt at something, and the rest will fall into place. It did not mean that I would always succeed, but I did know that there was nothing more I could have done-I did my very best, and sometimes someone else’s best would be considered to be better than mine. But these are often the things that motivate us to do better! Several failures often precede one success.
In high school I spent an entire summer prepping myself for the lead part for my high school musical. I spent hours learning the songs and studying the script. This was my first experience with learning that hard work really does pay off, and I got the part I desperately wanted. In college I used the same work ethic and managed to also land some leading roles in musicals. After college I decided to focus on singing and songwriting. I took off for Nashville in 1988, armed with a teaching degree and an old beat up guitar in my ‘75 Dodge Dart and spent almost two years there. I absorbed everything I could about the music business. I spent my time there hanging around other musicians, busking on the streets with my roommate, and joining in on some songwriter showcase nights. I soon realized that I didn’t need to be in Nashville to do music-there was a lively music scene back home in Minneapolis, and I made my way back.
To make a long story short, I started singing with bands in ‘91 and have continued on a roll until the present day! I have experienced rejection, poor choices, disappointments, conflict, embarrassment, failure and criticism, all of which have forced me to develop great resilience. What keeps me going is knowing I have a gift to share, and this belief in myself drives me to continue. There is nothing else I think I should be doing. Failure is inevitable, but we need to learn from the mistakes and soldier on. Not everyone will love what you do, and that’s ok—that’s Art. Never stop learning and growing and studying to become better, and tune out the noise of discouragement. I’ve talked myself out of giving up a million times. As I grow older in a business that favors the young, I have learned to create my own path and to create shows of my own rather than rely on others to hire me. I’ve known for many years that the time to do anything is right now. I never feel like I’m 100% ready to do a new project, but I also know that there will never be a perfect time, and tomorrow is uncertain, so just dive in and do it!
Rather than ask yourself why you should do something, instead ask, “why not?” This attitude has enabled me to record three records, sing in many different bands and on various recordings, and to conceive and perform in successful long-running shows and bands throughout the years. This did not come from extra knowledge or talent. It came from resilience, determination and hard work.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a singer-songwriter, a producer, recording artist and an actor. The most exciting part of my career is every audience is different, and therefore, every show is new, special and unique. Throughout my career I’ve sung in some very successful bands (too many to name, but many are listed on my website), sang the National Anthem at a Minnesota Twins game, have received and been nominated for various Minnesota Music Awards, have opened for many famous artists, such as Al Green and Tower of Power, have performed in the big rooms at Paisley Park and First Avenue, have sung various commercial jingles, and have even appeared in some TV commercials. My favorite part of performing has been watching how it moves the audience. It still blows my mind that I simply come up with an idea, bring it to fruition, and suddenly people’s lives become more rich. I love looking out into audiences and seeing them wipe away tears. That’s the important stuff! Music and the arts connects us in the most raw and vulnerable human way.
One of the shows I created, produced and perform in is ‘RIVER-the music of Carole King, Joni Mitchell & Carly Simon.’ We’ve performed in various theaters and venues throughout the Midwest for almost 9 years. I’ve also created, produce and perform in a show called ‘Thing Called Love-songs of Bonnie Raitt’. It blows my mind that I’ve been so lucky to work with some of the best musicians in the world!
I also perform with various bands for weddings and special events, and often perform as a duo with my husband, Brian Ziemniak, who is a brilliant keyboard/organ/piano player. During the pandemic we performed 52 Facebook livestream concerts!
I recently completed a holiday record titled, “Christmas Memories,” which is available on all streaming sites, as well as hard and digital copies on debbrown.bandcamp.com. I have two other records from 1999 and from 2007 that are also available on all streaming sites. All info is available at debbrownmusic.com!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
What has helped me most on my journey is knowing where my strengths lie. Capitalize on what you’re great at, and take advantage of the low hanging fruit. However, challenge yourself as well. Take some risks, and be prepared for possible failure. Then learn and grow from it. Tune out the opinions of others or learn from them, but never let it discourage you. If you believe you have a real talent, then find a way to share it. Maybe you need to use your talent in combination with other work to make money, and that’s ok, and very common! Keep trying every day to improve yourself, practice and educate yourself, and ask advice from those you respect. Get out into the public and network, because I know from personal experience that that has been one of the most valuable tools to connect with others in my field. People will not always come to you. Create your own path.
Remember: “If it is to be, it is up to me!”
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
My number one obstacle/challenge is staying relevant as a 50+ female in a business that clearly favors the young, especially pertaining to women. So, it’s up to me to be proactive about creating my own shows. and forcing myself to be social and network to make my presence known. It’s important to keep up with websites and social media because it’s easy to forget about anybody. This business will go on with or without any of us, so I cannot wait around expecting people to call me. Even though I believe I’m at my best it will only get more difficult, so I work harder. I list every gig on my calendar, because every gig is important and lets people know that I am still out there and going strong! “If it is to be, it is up to me!” I will say that I really love being around the energy of my younger colleagues. It inspires me, and I learn from them! It’s important for artists to support other artists, and it helps all of us succeed!
Contact Info:
- Website: debbrownmusic.com
- Instagram: @dbsingergirl
- Facebook: Facebook.com/debbrownmusic
- Other: debbrown.bandcamp.com debbrown.hearnow.com
