Austin Brown, together with Home Free‘s other band members, continued to demonstrate just how dynamic their voices and have been keeping concert audiences on the edge of their seats.
Brown is the lead tenor of the five-member band, and he is the youngest member of the group. If you want to get to know more about him, keep on reading below.
1. Singing Has Always Been In His Blood
Austin Brown, who was born and raised in Tifton, Georgia, is no stranger when it comes to music. He has been traveling with his father all over the Southeast with his father’s gospel quartet.
In the fall of 2000, during his senior year at Baldwin High School, Brown spearheaded and directed the school’s male quartet. They won 2nd place in Georgia’s most competitive 4AAAA division for the first time.
That same year, Brown also won the overall state championship as a soloist. So it’s no longer a surprise when he pursued music further.
2. He Grew up in a Southern Gospel Community
He spent his childhood traveling with his dad’s southern gospel quartet or going with his mom to the church.
3. He attended Baldwin High School
He went to Baldwin High School after moving to Milledgeville, Georgia with his dad.
4. He Majored in Music Theater
Austin Brown attended Oklahoma City University, majoring in Music Theater, and was on a full-tuition scholarship. The experience he had with the University further developed his overall skills as a musician.
He did not only grew his vocal artistry, but he also found his niche as a songwriter.
5. He Met Home Free in a Cruise Ship
Since college, Brown’s career as a vocalist and entertainer has flourished. In 2012, he worked on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship as a featured singer in their production shows, and it is where he met Home Free.
The acapella band joined the cruise as a guest performing group. Eventually, Brown developed a close friendship with members, Matt Atwood, Rob Lundquist, Tim Foust, and brothers Adam and Chris Rupp. He let Home Free know that he would be interested in joining the group if they ever had an opening.
And just before 2012 ended, Home Free enlisted Brown to join as their lead tenor and replace Matt Atwood. Atwood, who got married the previous year, and was expecting his first child, found the group’s touring schedule incompatible with his family life. Atwood decided to retire from the group.
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Brown sang his first show with the group in October 2012 and became a full-time member in January 2013. “They needed someone, and it was a combination of being in the right place at the right time,” Brown said.
Brown added that he didn’t hone his a cappella skills until college and joined Home Free.
6. He Thinks It Is Important For Home Free To Have Original Music Too
Austin Brown also thinks it is important to have original music on their albums instead of all covers.
“It’s very important for us to show who we are as a band. To show that we’re not just a cover band, even though we love doing the covers, and that’s how we’ve gotten where we are,” Brown said. “We’ll never stop doing the covers because they’re so fun to do, but it’s great to be able to show these other sides to the band as well. To grow the band in country music.”
7. He Can Dance Too
Just in case you don’t know, Austin Brown can dance too! In addition to his outstanding vocals, he showed off some dazzling dance moves in Home Free’s music video for “When You Walk In.” The acapella group asked the help of professional dancer, Brittany Cherry, to bring their original song to life.
“When we first recorded ‘When You Walk In’ I fell in love with it. As we started performing it live, a vision kept recurring in my head. There was this beautiful dancer commanding the song’s constant perspective: a marvelous, strong woman who stuns every time she graces a room,” Brown said.
Brown served as Cherry’s dance partner for the beautifully choreographed clip.
8. His Family and Friends Appeared in one of Home Free’s Music Video
The music video for Home Free’s “Good Ol’ Boy Good Time” was filmed in Tifton, Georgia. And most of the actors in the video are composed of Austin Brown’s friends and family. They can be seen dancing with each other by the water, enjoying the perfect summertime setting filled with fishing, BBQs, and bonfires.
“This was definitely one of the most fun videos we’ve ever done,” Brown revealed. “I was so excited to have the shoot in my hometown, surrounded by the people I’ve known all my life. It was like a giant reunion, and I loved getting to have my family host our Home Free road family. I hope everyone has as much fun watching it as we did making it!”
9. He is enjoying life with his gorgeous partner, Olena Noelle
Austin doesn’t hesitate to express his love for Olena Noelle. Fans and followers wonder when will this lovely couple will tie the knot.
10. He forgets the lyrics most of the time
Rob Lundquist also mentioned this on one of his Periscope episodes. A fan caught a hilarious video of one of those moments when he forgot the words.
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