Michael Jerome Browne

A child prodigy that grew into one of Canada's finest roots musicians, Michael Jerome Browne was born actually born in South Bend, Indiana. Moving to Montreal as a teenager, he had already mastered the guitar and harmonica and began to study the local folk scene. Starting a one-man band, Browne managed to tour Europe and North America before returning to join the Stephen Barry Band as the singer and guitarist. A true virtuoso and a quick learner of many different blues and folk styles, Browne performed on four albums with the band before striking out on his own in 1999. His eponymous debut garnered nominations from the Juno Awards, but it was 2002's Drive On that gave him his first solo exposure in both the US and in Europe. Recognized for his seamless blending of styles, Browne took the attitude that no genre can contain a good song, pointing out that his musical idols - Leadbelly, Son House - never limited themselves to one style. ~ Bradley Torreano