Lance Brown

Lance Brown is an artist, actor, musician and song writer who has lived by his wits and creativity since 1977. His songwriting education came from 4 years in the US Navy, 4 years as a social worker in a state institution for the mentally challenged, and the various life experiences he has gleaned from traveling as a working actor and musician for the last 35 years. His mainstay has been a one-person show called "Will Rogers Now" which he has toured nationwide for the last 24 years.

During all this time he has been a prolific songwriter penning pieces ranging from the patently absurd to the deeply philosophical. On the absurd end he and collaborator Steve Wellman created the satirical "Somewhat Fractured History of the World Show" which was billed as a history of the world from the Big Bang to the present in silly songs and stupid music. Lance performed that show nationwide for 10 years. Lance's satirical songs have found their way onto the "Dr. Demento Show" out of Los Angeles ("Buzzards in Love" "Soap on a Rope") and many local radio stations WBEZ, WFMT and WNUR ("The Dan Ryan Blues). He also performs around Chicago with his Lance Brown and the Old Guys Band playing his own original form of bluesy jazz, jazzy blues and contemporary or alternate country.

 As a graphic artist, Lance has shown in venues as diverse as The Old Town School of Folk Music, The Chicago Cultural Center (The Blues Series) The Underground Wonder Bar, The Eastgate Cafe in Oak Park. Influenced by twelve years of Zen practice, Lance's creative approach to both music and graphic art find their roots in meditation and improvisation. He has taught  courses in "Drawing as Meditation and Improvisation" for the Chicago Oasis Learning Center and the North Shore Senior Center. He brings the same fearless "freeing of the muse" approach to his teaching and song writing.

Started at the Old Town School in March of 2010