Acclaimed musician Greg Brown to play ECC Arts Center Saturday

Grammy-nominated contemporary roots/folk songwriter and musician Greg Brown will perform on Saturday, Oct. 22, at the Elgin Community College Arts Center. The performance will be at 7 p.m. in the Blizzard Theatre, Building H, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.

With roots in small-town Iowa, Greg Brown's rich folk style is heavily influenced by his origins: his mother played electric guitar, his grandfather was a banjo player, and his father was a holy roller preacher.

A two time Grammy nominee, Brown's songs have been covered by Willie Nelson, Carlos Santana, Joan Baez, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and many more.

At the personal request of Jeff Bridges, Brown also contributed songs for Bridges' Oscar-winning role in the film "Crazy Heart." Rolling Stone calls Brown, "A wickedly sharp observer of the human condition."

After releasing his first two albums in the early 1980s, Brown began working on the renowned radio show "A Prairie Home Companion" and touring nationally.

Brown teamed up with Bob Feldman in 1983 and re-released his first two albums under the name Red House Records - the beginning of the now legendary folk/roots label. Over the course of his career, Brown has released 27 albums and toured extensively.

"Greg Brown is the quintessential voice of the Midwest. He's in Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie territory for me," says Steve Duchrow, ECC Arts Center Director of Performing Arts, "He's real. He's made his living this way. His stage show shines because the polish is unpolished. It's elbow grease and a life time of craft that makes his songs exceptional."

Tickets to Greg Brown are $32. Tickets are available online at tickets.elgin.edu or at the ECC Arts Center box office. Box office hours are noon to 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday. To purchase tickets by phone, call (847) 622-0300. All major credit cards are accepted. Follow the ECC Arts Center on facebook.com/eccartscenter, and on Twitter @ECCArtsCenter.