Mostly Cloudy, 61°
Weather sponsored by:

Banjo Brown jamming to his own musical following

By Lee Wardlaw lee@claytodayonline.com
Posted 1/26/23

CLAY COUNTY – After strumming a deafening rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” with a Southern Rock-style spin ahead of the Jacksonville-Tennessee game, Paul Wane became the center of …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Don't have an ID?


Print subscribers

If you're a print subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one.

Non-subscribers

Click here to see your options for subscribing.

Single day pass

You also have the option of purchasing 24 hours of access, for $1.00. Click here to purchase a single day pass.

Banjo Brown jamming to his own musical following


Posted

CLAY COUNTY – After strumming a deafening rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” with a Southern Rock-style spin ahead of the Jacksonville-Tennessee game, Paul Wane became the center of attention in the musical world in Northeast Florida.

But he wasn’t the only show in town.

Enter Aaron Brown, a U.S. Navy veteran who moved to Orange Park in 2020. Brown has been playing the guitar since high school, but he didn’t consider music as a serious career path until 2021.

After attending several open mic sessions alongside fellow local musician and close friend Gabe Bullard to break the ice, Brown now prefers to go by a different moniker – Banjo Brown – when rocking crowds along with live, onstage performances that are available for viewing now on Fleming Island, Green Cove Springs and throughout Northeast Florida.

A one-man band, the guitarist and vocalist treat audiences to an alluring variety of acoustic folk and Americana cover hits, with his menu of songs featuring a wide selection of favorite genres including bluegrass, country, rock and more.

When Brown takes to the stage, his cowboy hat, leather vest, cowboy boots, harmonica and favorite guitar all go along for the ride. The musician’s instrument of choice is a Martin Grand Concert guitar, and he can shred those chords for a long time, too.

Plenty of stamina is required for each of Brown’s acts, all of which last between three-to-four hours.

He was reared in Charleston, South Carolina, and he said that playing the guitar isn’t his best onstage skill or motivation for performing.

“I’m not the best guitarist in the world. I’m inspired by lyricists,” he said.

His idols include John Pride, Guy Clarke, Vincent Neil Emerson, Taylor Kingman, Oliver Wood, Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton and the Turnpike Troubadours.

“Those are guys that put poetry into their music,” Brown said.

Banjo Brown’s diverse lineup of old-school hits includes those from his biggest inspirations that are listed above along with other top artists, such as The Devil Makes Three, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Pink Floyd and more.

“These are songs of ne'er-do-wells and rounders. That’s the kind of music I’m drawn to. I like music that has an edge to it,” Brown said.

He performs regularly at Mercury Moon on Fleming Island from 9 p.m. to midnight every third Wednesday of the month. He also hosts a show every other Friday at V Pizza on Fleming Island from 6-9 p.m.

He was most recently on stage at the Sunset Tiki Bar on Fleming Island, but you can catch his next big performance on Friday, Jan. 27, at V Pizza from 9 p.m. to midnight.

To find his schedule, visit BanjoBrownMusic on Facebook or email him at BanjoBrownMusic@gmail.com.