Gulf Coast musician Greg Brown grateful even as cancer threatens his life; benefit set
BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG) — There is something about the guitar that has always fascinated life-long musician Greg Brown.
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“There’s only six strings and 12 notes repeated and there are millions and millions of songs that have been written and yet to be written,” he says.
Those six strings have defined most of his life.
“It’s an amazing life. It’s an amazing gift,” he says.
By the time the Texas boy arrived on the Gulf Coast in 1999, he had already made a name for himself and soon was playing up and down the coast.
“I was doing 6 to 10 shows every week,” he said.
All of it now hangs in the balance.
An aggressive thyroid cancer diagnosed four months ago is threatening his life.
The cancer and radiation have already taken his voice.
“This is the best voice I’ve had since that day,” he says with a voice that is barely above a whisper.
A benefit will be held Saturday at The Front Porch in Lillian full of music and food to raise money for Brown, his wife and kids in case what the doctors say is true.
“If the cancer takes it the way that they think it may take it, that money is for my wife and kids to be taken care of,” he said. “The prognosis for this type of cancer is never good.”
In the meantime, he is still playing a few instrumental gigs and teaching lessons at his music store in Foley.
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All of it is connected to those six strings that have been a mainstay throughout his life.
“It’s always been about the voice and the music and not about something like this,” he says.
And when the music fades and “his” song is over, Brown says he can’t help but be grateful.
“It’s been an amazing ride.”
The benefit will be Saturday, Feb. 24, from noon to 6 p.m.
EVENT LOCATION:
In addition, anyone can contribute to a GoFundMe account and a Venmo account.
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