Reagan Browne has spent the last decade writing, recording and performing music for a living. With three albums under his belt and thousands of concerts played in front of adoring fans, Browne has taken his passion for music and made it into a career. However, being a truly gifted singer/songwriter isn’t the only skillset that Browne possesses. The Texas-native has also turned his love of film into a budding acting career. Browne has graced the silver screen in the films Glory Road, The Wedding Pact and most recently, A Need for Blood. He is always on the lookout for the next acting role that fits him.
It is music, however, that is Browne’s first love. The singer has spent a lifetime honing his craft as a guitar player and singer. His powerful voice can be heard soaring on the choruses of his rock albums, especially his latest, Rhapsodic Roar. Known for his boyish good looks, Browne can be seen on tour playing one of his hit songs after another.
Reagan, you are a very talented singer, musician and actor, please, tell us more about yourself.
I’ve basically been doing all three my whole life. It’s what I gravitated to when I was a toddler. I vividly remember when I was around three or four-years old, marching around my house with a toy snare drum, and beating on that all-day long. I’m not sure what drew me to that thing more than the other toys, but I was totally fascinated with it. The same thing happened to me one day in kindergarten. The class was supposed to bring something for “show and tell” day, and some other kid brought an acoustic guitar that was probably his Dad’s. For whatever reason, I kept zoning in on it, although I didn’t even really know what it was. Eventually, I walked over and started messing with it. Within 5 minutes, I picked out the opening riff of “Satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones. Kids gathered around to take a listen and I was hooked. I spent the rest of my youth in my room playing along to records like Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, and whatever was on the radio at the time.
Singing came next for me, which was sort of a fluke, because it’s something that I never really intended to do, especially being a shy kid. I, as well as my friends started to notice that when I’d sing along to songs on the radio I’d be able to hit any note that they did. We’re talking tough stuff like Guns and Roses, Billy Joel, Whitesnake or Zeppelin. Singing was the first thing, and maybe the last thing in my life where I knew I had special talents with it, because I was born with a multi-octave vocal range, I could sing on pitch and do things that most other kids could not do. I’ve worked hard at it thru the years, but it’s something that I don’t have to slave away at like I did the guitar. Acting became part of my life when I was in college. I think ultimately, I wanted to do it so I could express myself in ways I could not in real life. Again, I was painfully shy growing up, and it helped me get out of my shell a bit and be more open to my emotions that I may have been holding in.
Why did you decide to become an entertainer?
Probably when I was in the first grade, if not before that. I had a period when I played sports like tennis and football, but the dream that kept me looking out the window instead of paying attention in class was being in a band and singing to 50,000 people; or being an action movie star like Tom Cruise and Sylvester Stallone. I figured out pretty quick that when I did get on stage weather it was for a school play or some talent show, I was more at ease and comfortable than I was when I walked off. I thought I may be on to something. I’m dyslexic, so school was always extremely difficult for me. Music and artistic things where not, so I gravitated to those things. I could relate to them, and loved doing them.
Which album is your favorite and why?
Wow! That’s a tough question to ask a musician, because we all probably have at least four to five in our back pocket that we keep coming back to. If I had to pick one desert island album, it would be Van Halen 1. There’s not a bad song on it, and Eddie Van Halen completely changed the way guitar was played when it came out in 1978. He’s the guy that got me wanting to play like so many other guitarist, and David Lee Roth got me into wanting to be a rock star and get all the girls. Honorable mentions would be Appetite for Destruction by Guns N Roses, Led Zeppelin II, Billy Joel’s Greatest Hits and Soundgarden’s Badmotorfinger, and Abbey Road by the Beatles.
What is the most challenging part of your work?
I think just being heard or being seen. Getting your foot in the door in the entertainment business, whether you’re looking for an agent or getting an audition, can be a major challenge. The rejection can wear on you, too. I think through time you start to not take it personally. Music is a little different, because I can pretty much pick up the guitar anytime I want and write a song. Being an actor is more challenging, because most of us don’t get to do it very often. Even when you’re on a set you spend most of your day sitting in your trailer waiting to get called for your scene. For me personally, it’s the not being able to do it when I want that has always been hard for me. I always think of it being like if Tiger Woods spent all day at a driving range practicing his swing with no golf ball, or practicing his putts at home into a paper cup instead of going out on the course and playing 18-holes every day. That’s what it feels like. It’s a waiting game, but you have to hone your craft and be ready if you’re lucky enough to catch a break.
What was your most rewarding professional experience?
For me there are two. The first one was playing in front of thousands of people in an arena in my home state of Texas to people singing along to my songs. Hearing people cheer for you and hearing your voice project all the way back to the nose bleed section is like no other experience I’ve had. I could get very use to that, and feel like I was born to be on a stage of that caliber. My second one was acting alongside Jon Voight for a Jerry Bruckheimer movie called Glory Road. I had a small role, but got to improvise my scene with him, take after take, and felt like I held my own with one of the best American actors we’ve seen. He was very complementary to me, and supportive of what I did. He even mentioned it to me again when I saw him at the movie premier months later.
How do you find inspiration?
Several ways, really. I listen to my idols on their records, I go see them live, I study actors in movies and go see plays. If I see or hear someone doing something inspiring, it excites me to try and do the same. Inspiration can really come from anywhere. The trick is to be open for it whenever it comes. I’ve written songs based around experiences I’ve had in life, came up with riffs based around noises I hear in everyday life like construction workers hammering away at a building. Meeting interesting characters in life, to creating characters from just trying on a new pair of shoes that made me walk differently. I let it come when it comes and try not to fight it too much. The process has to be fun for me, and when that’s the case, that’s when the magic happens.
What are you up to next? What does the future hold?
I always try and have several irons in the fire, and right now I’m focusing on honing my craft as a actor by studying in acting class, going to auditions and putting together a short film I hope to star in, in the near future. There are so many wonderful television and film projects out right now that I’d like to be a part of. Something amazing like a Game of Thrones or Martin Scorsese’s next movie. There’s more quality television shows and movies right now than ever before. It’s an exciting time to be a actor! As far as music, I’m working on touring with a well-known band like Pearl Jam or Foo Fighters that can take me on the road as an opening, act so I can reach thousands of people a night. I’ve done some successful tours over in England, and would like to go back for another one this spring, and possibly Japan and Australia as well. The sky is really the limit for me, with a little luck and a lot of hard work, I think I can make them all happen.
Were you ever influenced by other musicians?
Of course. Most musicians become singers or guitar players, because they look up to them so much. I wonder how many bands through the years started from watching the Beatles on Ed Sullivan, or seeing some band on MTV back in the day? I remember watching MTV as a kid and seeing the music video for “Jump” by Van Halen. It was the coolest thing I had ever seen or heard. I still get that feeling all these years later when I hear a band that I like.
What is a day in your life like?
I won’t bore you with the nine to five job part, but the fun parts include me writing music, playing guitar, working on a play, practicing and keeping my voice in shape for the next gig. I also try and keep my body in shape by hiking, running and working out.
What makes you smile?
Without fail, regardless if I’m having a bad day, if I see a baby or kid doing cute stuff, it makes me smile. I’m a sucker for those animal videos on Facebook or Instagram, too. If I’m walking down the street and a pretty girl smiles at me that doesn’t hurt either. I like seeing people genuinely happy, because it’s contagious and it makes you want to be happy, too. On another note it makes me smile when I set a goal and accomplish it. It blows my mind sometimes that I have three studio albums under my belt, and have played with some of my music idols I grew up admiring.
What scares you?
Not taking chances and letting amazing opportunities pass me by because of it. I really do hope that all the hard work isn’t for nothing, but in the end, if I know I did everything, I can’t be too hard on myself. My attitude lately is, “you got nothing to lose, so you might as well do everything you can, and not worry to much about the outcome if it doesn’t go your way”.
What is your greatest achievement?
I would say my daughter and being known as some one that is regarded as one of the best in the field I pursue, like singing. I’ve heard from people all over the world tell me how much they love my voice, and songs. So, mission accomplished.
What is your secret talent?
I think I can make any one laugh, and can do some pretty good impressions like Jimmy Stewart, John Travolta and Sam Elliott. I’m good with accents as well, and like fooling people into thinking I’m some random Irish tourist or some Italian poet from Rome. Just goofing off stuff that people get a kick out of.
Which historical figure do you most admire?
Paul McCartney.
Any hobbies?
I love riding my Harley Davidson motorcycle. I also enjoy fishing and spending time in nature.
What’s your favorite vacation spot?
My family has a place down in the Florida Keys, so I love going down there to soak in the sun, and deep-sea fish. It wasn’t much of a vacation, because I was working. But England to me was special because of how nice the people are and how much they love my music.
What are you never without?
My cell phone, but sometimes I wish I’d lose it, so I can look up at what’s going on around me more often. We’re all letting the world pass us by because we are constantly checking our Facebook status or seeing how many likes we have on Instagram. I read a joke the other day that the longest any kid had ever looked up from their phone was when they were checking out the Solar Eclipse. Haha!
Can you tell me two of your favorite quotes?
“Never Give Up” and “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be Kind. Always.”
How do you define success?
Loving what you do, and doing everything you can to be the best at it. I would love to reach as many people across the world as I can with music and acting. If I can entertain them, make them think, and make them forget about their troubles for an hour or two, that’s success to me. Success to me is also having a goal big or small, and accomplishing it. If your goal is to lose 10 pounds to be able to get in a new pair of jeans, that’s success. Or if you climb Mount Everest, that’s success too, obviously. They don’t have to be the biggest most grandiose things to make me feel good. Be happy for anything that comes your way, big or small.
What advice would you give to anyone starting in the music world?
Do it for the love and the passion not for the money or fame. The latter two probably won’t come, so you better really like playing the guitar or playing live music. For me, it’s always been about the love of it, because if playing music was work to me, I’d lose interest and take up golf or something. Also, to be really great at something, you can’t take short cuts. That’s becoming the norm for kids to just autotune their vocals and make beats on a computer over practicing their instrument every day like Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn did when they started out. Get out and play with others. Don’t wait until you’re a virtuoso. You can make beautiful music at any level. If you become a rich rockstar, that’s the cherry on top of the cake.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I just hope to see, and hear from your readers all over the world, and maybe take inspiration from their successes in life to apply to my own.
For information on Reagan Browne’s upcoming tour dates or news about his latest films or television shows, please visit www.ReaganBrowne.com.
Image credit, Stephanie Girard
