Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Here Are Some Facts About T. Graham Brown, Who Rose From Contract Songwriter To A Country Star

T Graham Brown Facts
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Signed to the major label Capitol Records in 1985, T. Graham Brown reached country superstardom with his unique mix of old-time rock ‘n roll, R&B, country, and blues. He went on to record fifteen albums and charted more than twenty singles on the country charts – three of which reached No. 1.

Truly, he has one of the most illustrious careers in the genre. Let’s celebrate T. Graham Brown‘s musical achievements by looking at some facts about him that you might not have heard before.

1. He’s a native of Arabi, Georgia. 

Born Anthony Graham Brown on October 30, 1954, Brown kicked off his musical career during his stay at the University of Georgia. Brown and a guitar-playing friend formed a duo and began playing at a music lounge across the campus. Soon enough, the lounge was jam-packed with audiences singing along with the duo. Brown said he was earning $600 a week at the time.

2. He was an outfielder and pitcher in high school. 

During his teenage years, Brown was much keener on swinging his bat rather than belting out soul music. He actually enrolled at the University of Georgia with the hopes of joining the big leagues. However, the baseball coach benched Brown and he turned his attention to singing.

3. He was inspired by outlaw country singer David Allan Coe. 

In 1975, the typical fraternity-looking Brown unleashed his wild side after watching a documentary about David Allan Coe. Brown grew his hair, ditched his button-down shirts and khaki pants, got a tattoo, and launched a hard-country band called Reo Diamond. 

4. He’s behind some of the popular advertising jingles. 

His voice could be heard hawking on commercials by McDonald’s, Disneyland, Coca-Cola, and Kentucky Fried Chicken, among many others. Brown was also the singing narrator in Taco Bell’s “Run For the Border” television spots.

5. He’s a married man. 

In 1980, Brown married Sheila, a master’s degree graduate at the University of Georgia, majoring in nutrition and dairy science. However, Sheila gave up her academic field to support Brown’s musical ambitions. Sheila had to work at a department store during the day and as a waitress at night. The couple was blessed with a son, Acme Geronimo Brown.

6. He was diagnosed to have bipolar at 44. 

Brown was bipolar, and his condition had gone undiagnosed for many decades. As a teenager, Brown had difficulty keeping his focus and falling asleep. His thoughts have always been on race. He was even on the verge of suicide quite a few times.

7. He still keeps his 1959 Ford station wagon. 

Brown and his wife loaded up their 1959 Ford Station Wagon, which they call “Ruby,” and made the journey to Nashville to chase after Brown’s musical dreams. Little did they know that T. Graham Brown songs would make a massive impact on country music today. And he’s not letting the classic vehicle go anytime soon. “I’ll always have that,” the country icon said. “It was a good luck charm.”

8. He also struggled with substance abuse. 

Unfortunately, Brown had a tough battle with alcoholism and substance abuse, which started to take its toll on his career. He even found himself sitting in the same therapy session with fellow country star Keith Whitley. Still, Whitley’s death didn’t straighten him a bit. Until one day, he looked into the mirror and asked God for some help. Since then, “it was like it was gone all of a sudden. It was a miracle to me,” he said.

Today, T. Graham Brown is enjoying his sober days with his wife and doing the thing he loves most, making music. 

Latest Stories

Jamey Johnson and his wife Brittney Eakins smile at each other in wedding attire by a scenic river, celebrating their unique love story that began with a proposal the day after they met.

Jamey Johnson Proposed to His Wife Brittney the Day After They Met and She Said Yes

Jamey Johnson doesn’t date. He decides. And apparently, he decided the moment he met Brittney Eakins because this outlaw son of Alabama met a woman, looked her dead in the ...

Beyoncé performs in a white rhinestone western outfit and cowboy hat during her Cowboy Carter era, drawing controversy after receiving country award nominations at the 2025 AMAs.

Beyoncé Got Two Country Nods at the 2025 AMAs While Real Country Artists Got Nothing

Let’s not sugarcoat this. Beyoncé just scored two country nominations at the 2025 American Music Awards, and half the artists actually living, breathing, and bleeding this genre didn’t get a ...

Breanna Nix hugs her young son backstage as she prepares for her Grand Ole Opry debut, radiating joy ahead of her biggest country music milestone yet.

Breanna Nix Will Make Her Grand Ole Opry Debut and She’s Bringing the Fire With Her

Third place? Nah. Breanna Nix didn’t come off American Idol with a consolation prize. She walked out with a calling. Just days after closing out Season 23 as the sleeper ...

John Foster performs onstage in a tan jacket and cowboy hat, holding a guitar and singing into a microphone under purple lighting.

John Foster Believes There Was a Bigger Reason He Came Second on American Idol

John Foster didn’t come in first on American Idol but let’s be real. The trophy ain’t what gets you to Nashville. It’s what you do after the cameras shut off ...

Dolly Parton stands on stage holding a microphone, wearing a white blazer and black gloves, speaking passionately with two pastel armchairs behind her under soft lighting.

Dolly Parton Reveals the Cost Behind the Career Everyone Thinks Is Perfect

Everyone wants the rhinestones. Nobody signs up for the grindstone. At 79 years old, Dolly Parton stood at the opening of her own Country Music Hall of Fame exhibit and ...

Tim McGraw and George Strait stand side by side onstage, smiling with arms raised and guitars in hand, sharing a moment of camaraderie and mutual respect during a live performance.

Tim McGraw Says He Passed on “Carrying Your Love With Me” Out of Respect for George Strait

Tim McGraw has never been short on hits. The guy basically owned the ’90s. But even legends have moments they look back on and think, “Damn, that one got away.” ...

Riley Green and Randy Houser perform with acoustic guitars onstage at Sand In My Boots Fest, honoring Toby Keith with fiery renditions of his classic songs.

Riley Green and Randy Houser Honor Toby Keith With His Classics at Sand In My Boots Fest

If you were down in Gulf Shores this weekend and didn’t feel the ground shake when Riley Green and Randy Houser tore into “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” check your pulse. ...

Tim McGraw speaks into a podcast microphone, reflecting on aging in country music and saying he's done singing about bikinis and tailgate parties at 58.

Tim McGraw Says He’s 58 Now and Done Singing About Bikinis and Tailgate Parties

Tim McGraw just reminded everyone in Nashville that growing older doesn’t mean growing irrelevant. It means growing up. On a recent episode of TL’s Road House with Tracy Lawrence, McGraw ...

Morgan Wallen sits beside his son in a utility vehicle, smiling as he embraces fatherhood—a turning point that made him more selective about the people in his life.

Becoming a Dad Made Morgan Wallen Rethink Who He Lets Near His Circle

Morgan Wallen didn’t wake up one day and decide to grow up. He got shoved into it. Hard. Fame, scandals, arrest headlines, and enough “my bads” to fill an entire ...

Blake Shelton and Michael Bublé smile onstage while holding microphones during their performance, blending country and pop charm under bright stage lights.

Blake Shelton Took Michael Bublé’s Song “Home” and Made It His Own Country Classic

Blake Shelton didn’t just cover “Home.” He stole it, wrapped it in twang, threw a Miranda Lambert harmony on it, and turned a pop ballad into the most important song ...