New Bern, NC ~ On Friday, February 14, 2025, many gathered with their significant other and friends at The Flame Catering and Banquet Center for the third annual Cupid’s Shuffle Valentine’s Day Experience.

This is one of several annual events created and hosted by our local soul man, Joe Brown. Born and raised in New Bern, he has deep roots in the gospel and a love for God. Without that, his dreams would have no traction. For those just meeting him, this frontman broke onto the music scene in 2016 through the local open mic circuit with a keyboard and a microphone.

 It started with an invitation by John Morgan, bartender extraordinaire, who invited him out to an open mic in New Bern. These days, Morgan owns and operates Morgan’s Pub.  He, too, is a singer and frontman. Morgan fronts Kill Mercy, which has rekindled its sparks recently and is working on new music today. He invited the singer out in 2016 for an open mic and lit a fire in a new frontman’s heart.

After a quick solo set, Brown invited a few talented friends back, and before long, he became the band leader from behind the keyboard. Since then, our Soul Man has been working hard to build a brand that fulfills a mission to offer MUSIC FOR THE PEOPLE.

 These are the first two pics I captured as a blogger after meeting Joe Brown at Mesh in 2016.

His dedication since that day makes Joe Brown & The Band a staple for our community because Brown takes us along on this journey. He cultivates community with music at each show and offers fellowship and fun to all his fans and supporters. I have been here for most of his music journey, and watching from the sidelines has been fantastic. Along the way, we’ve had a few walks in the park. Like that day at Union Point Park when I helped him keep his pants on, and he returned the favor later that Summer in Red Sail Park when he picked me up off the pavement at a Hank Barbee show. Along the way, we have learned that it doesn’t matter if your goal is connecting people to music or bringing music for the people, it is all work, and we can both testify about it!

Not long after Brown hit the scene, we spoke about bookings. I assured him he was a top-level entertainer and should not settle for less than his worth. The moral of that 2016 meeting was realized for me in 2024. Sometimes, we talk to people and don’t realize our impact. Unbeknownst to me at the time, Brown took those words to heart, and instead of just gigging around, he hit the pavement and cultivated a name, a brand, and a mission for his small town to embrace. Over the last three years, Brown has expanded his scope from being New Bern’s own Soul Man to now becoming Carolina’s Soul Man.

One thing I have noted that sets this master of ceremonies apart from many local acts is his investment in the community. He established himself as a business and hired a band to work within the framework of the brand and the mission he was building.  Many changes have happened within the organization, and there have been too many members to name. As our friend Mary reminded me, this is one man and his mission, so he deemed it Joe Brown & The Band.  When he is ready to bring new members on board, he hosts public auditions, like casting calls, to fill the bill.

He marketed himself locally by hitting the beat, meeting and mingling with other business owners; he is known for his face all around town, introducing us to many locals along the way. He indeed promotes and supports local. He invested in his dream by joining New Bern’s Chamber of Commerce. That move opened his show to more significant opportunities for our New Bern Community to gather around enjoying Music for the People.

He can be found around town for MumFest, has been on the roster for Tryon Palace events (above), and has always been a popular option for the town’s local concert series, Footloose on the Neuse (below) over the years.

A good example of how Brown cultivates community with his music can be found in the events he puts together. He truly hits the pavement and visits local businesses in between shows to bring them in on his events. Those steps offer the attendees more bang for their buck when local businesses donate gift cards or baskets for their services, which are raffled off during the experiences. It’s an old-fashioned approach in the advancement of technology.

Joe Brown and the Band hosted Christmas in July, an event held at Maola Riverside during the Summer that offered activities for families with children of all ages.

Brown also works hard to deliver the Gobble Wobble. The Thanksgiving Eve Dance Party is held at Attitudes Bar and Grill in River Bend before the feasting holiday.

Along the way, I have watched Brown support and align with other freelancers who love live music and lend their talents to his cause. He works with many great photographers, such as Allen Fairbanks Productions. If you have not seen Fairbanks work, works, take a minute to do so. He will take you through the Milky Way or aboard Space X as it soars over New Bern. He captures weddings and supports live music.

Fairbanks is a talented cameraman who has been part of Music for the People’s production staff for years. Subscribe to his YouTube channel and like his Facebook page; both links are provided herein. Allen Fairbanks Productions is someone to consider when capturing a special event. This family man also serves his community by day mowing and manicuring lawns in Fairfield Harbour and beyond. He is a good servant to seniors and a blessing to our community.

 

While attending this event, I met another photographer. He was also the man who brought the selfie photo booth, Anthony Duffie. He is known for his pro shots for many local bars in our region, including the Buccaneer, BT’s, Dirty Dan’s, and others. Living in Winterville, he is serious about his role as a photographer. I could tell by the strap he wore to support both cameras. Known on the scene as Tony or Duff, he is the man behind the lens for Anthony Terrell Photography.

Another freelance music supporter on his team for the last half-decade is Mary Shine.

She has been checking people in at Brown’s events for the last three years and was a fan of his work for many years before joining the team.

She can be found behind the merchandise table and at the ticket counter. You might even see her pulling tickets, typing QR codes, and anything else that needs to be done to make the night successful. She wears many hats in our community and is loved immeasurably for her dedication to children and local live music. Follow my friend Mary Shine on Facebook to keep up with the scene. You’ll often find Mary and I paling around so I can take her picture. That’s not entirely true, but I do have some great shots of this fantastic lady.

She often films live while I shoot from all angles for write-ups here. She is good about tagging people, taking selfies, and dropping names—all the essential things I forget to do. She has been my ride-or-die and best bud for years, and I know many bands will say the same.

 

 

Valentine’s Day was a unique experience that offered fine food courtesy of Chef Smoke and his staff at The Flame. Thanks to the community sponsors, there were fun and fabulous giveaways, a dating game, and dancing.

Every band aims to bring people out on the floor, and it’s the band that helps bring the dream full circle for each event. None of these shows would know the magic and fun that make each one an experience without the band. Mr. Brown knows that, and it is evident that he invests in his bandmates. Investing in and cultivating this mission has not been a ten-minute task. Brown works hard to support all things local.

I remember when Brown was playing solo at open mics around town and sitting in with established bands for festival shows while he built his brand and hired members. He has stood up from behind the keys to take his position as a frontman and band leader since 2021. He works the band, he works the room, and he works the hardest to make everything come together.

Between now and his next major calendar event, he will be seen in local community centers, bringing music for the people. During the week, he is still known to fly solo on his board, performing for assisted living centers. On Sundays, he can be found in the church his father started, and in between, he does a lot to promote all things local, including live music, which is also a business. He is happy to support locals because of how much locals support his mission.

Be sure to follow Joe Brown & The Band on Facebook and make a plan to partake in their next experience.

 

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