Looking Back to See: A Country Music Memoir

by Maxine Brown

The Browns--Maxine, Bonnie, and Jim Ed--are a trio of siblings that had tremendous success in the 1950s and 60s. Following in the tradition of the best of such books, such as Loretta's Lynn's Coal Miner's Daughter, this memoir, told in Maxine's own plucky, spirited style, delves deeply into the Browns' remarkable past, beginning with a Depression-era childhood in rural south Arkansas. From it emerged a duo, Maxine and Jim Ed, and in 1954 they had a Top Ten hit with "Looking Back to See." Sister Bonnie later joined them, and strengthened by shared experience they sang their way on to Little Rock's Barnyard Frolic in 1952, and were soon regulars on the well-known Louisiana Hayride. They would eventually help a young Elvis Presley get started on the show and toured with him as their opening act, and it wasn't long before he became a close friend of the family. Other hits followed, including "I Take the Chance" and "I Heard the Bluebirds Sing." Early mismanagement (which Maxine describes quite graphically in her own gutsy style) couldn't prevent the Browns' careers from soaring. The group began a long relationship with RCA, and with Chet Atkins, and later joined the Grand Ole Opry cast. In 1959 their rendition of Edith Piaf's song, "The Three Bells" not only went to the top of the country charts but spent weeks at number one on the pop charts, and led to appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and American Bandstand. A vocal group without peer, The Browns were central artists in the changing sound of country and American popular music at mid-century. They were part of major changes in the entertainment business and American culture, participated in the folk music movement in the '60's, and saw the steady birth of rock 'n' roll up close as they worked with Presley and others. Illustrated with many never-before-published photographs, Looking Back to See is a remarkable story told here for the first time.

Genres: Music, Southern

400 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2003

Reviews

[Dawn]

This book is pretty good. It is full of tons of interesting stories about other artists besides the Browns, as well. The only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars is because Maxine spends the entire book blaming all of her failures on others. She is always the innocent victim, in her eyes. That seems quite a little self serving to me.

[Lisa]

I really loved reading this autobiography by Maxine Brown. I love the Browns and their music and this was well-written and enjoyable from page one until the end. It displays Maxine's great sense of humor that perservered in spite of many family tragedies that occured throughout her interesting life. Even if you aren't necessarily a fan of country, it's a great read.

[Emma]

i really love and admire this woman and how she has handled things in her life, i am a big fan of The Browns, and Maxine and Jim Eds solo music also.this book is about poverty and what it was like for The Browns as young kids in sparkman arkansas and growing up, starting her career, through the ups and downs in the music biz

[Pat Brannon]

I totally enjoyed this book and the daily journey The Browns experienced at various times while travelling and performing. Many years ago Jim Ed came to my aunt's house in Little Rock to play music. Coming from several generations of singers, songwriters and musicians, this book was especially meaningful to me.

[Sandy Young]

Excellent book. Maxine tells the story of not only the BROWNS, but also her story.
Being in the country music industry was not a piece of cake in the 50s and 60s, especially for female performers.

[Russell]

Very enjoyable read. An honest look at Maxine Brown's life and the rise and demise of The Browns. For a real treat, explore the music of The Browns.

[Elaine]

Maxine wrote a great book on the ups & downs of being a Country Music star. She doesn’t mince words but calls a spade a spade.

[Guy]

Great descriptions of rural poverty in the late depression years in Arkansas as well as the rough and tumble world of early rockabilly music and its promoters. Maxine Brown writes mostly about The Browns' rise to fame but the book is peppered with her own feelings of bitterness, anger, and some gratitude (more of the other) at the folks she met along the way. She writes honestly, and there are times this is less than flattering.

[Judy Tate]

I really like The Browns and Jim Ed is a favorite. Maxine really dished the dirt on some country music figures, but she sugar-coated other entertainers. She even says in the book that singers stick-up for each other. This is a bitter woman's rant against an industry that treated her "badly". She should have paid more attention to her business. I did like the tales about Elvis and the photos were great.

[Karen]

I read this b/c it is the memior of the artist featured in the fictionalized novel "Nashville Chrome". It was an interesting read of the country music industry and the many ways it can chew people up.