11 Facts About Milton Brown

Milton Brown was an American band leader and vocalist who co-founded the genre of Western swing.

Milton Brown's band was the first to fuse hillbilly hokum, jazz, and pop together into a unique, distinctly American hybrid, thus giving him the nickname, "Father of Western Swing".

Milton Brown's career was cut short in 1936 when he died following a car accident.

Milton Brown began his musical career in 1930, when he met Bob Wills and guitarist Herman Arnspiger.

The trio decided to team up to play medicine shows around Texas and Milton Brown landed a regular radio spot on WBAP for the group, where they played a show sponsored by Aladdin Lamp Company, which had the band change its name to the Aladdin Laddies.

Milton Brown was hesitant to pay them much money, which angered Brown.

In September 1932, in need of additional money to support his aging parents, Milton Brown left the band after he had an argument about money with O'Daniel.

Milton Brown's upbeat "Taking Off" instrumental is an example of his inspired solos; a towering inspiration to many Western swing, country and even rock guitarists in the years to follow.

In January 1935, Milton Brown's band signed with Decca records and recorded 36 songs for the label with Milton Brown singing lead vocals on most all of the tracks.

Milton Brown had slipped away from her house without her parents' knowledge to go to Crystal Springs Dance Hall with friends.

Milton Brown was taken to Fort Worth's Methodist Hospital where his injuries were initially believed to not be life-threatening.