Austin Brown Emerges from Jackson Family with His Own Mission and Style

AustinBrown.comBeing the nephew to the late King of Pop Michael Jackson and son of Rebbie Jackson could be intimidating for some, but not Austin Brown.  The singer, whose recent single "Ménage à Trois" is generating some attention, tells ABC News Radio that he's focused on creating his own path and bridging musical generations. 

Growing up in the famous family, says Austin, "[Music] was all around me, of course, and that's where I was really blessed to see a lot of great musicians work hard at what they do."  Austin explains his outlook on his famous family as, "I was lucky to be born into a family that lives and breathes music but it’s important that I forge my own path."  That's why, says Austin, his sound has a mission that's all about, "keying into the real music of the past and having my generation understand it for now and today."

Not that his famous aunts, uncles and others haven't influenced him.  Austin recalls a trip to London during Michael's History tour, when his superstar uncle brought Austin on stage.  "What really blew me away was how I saw all these different races of people singing and loving life and there for a purpose of music that he brought them there for, and I'm like, 'Wow, this is a beautiful thing,'" says Austin.  "Now, this is what music's about."

For Austin, making music isn't about the fame. "My mother never allowed me to think that way," he says.  "She always put into perspective where, you know, 'Your family, they have a job other people see and that's the difference.'" 

While it may be easy to get caught up in the Jackson family fame machine, Austin declares, "That's not why I'm here... I really, don't really care about that aspect of it.  It's more so the beautiful music  that came from it." 

Look for Austin's debut album Highway 85 in stores later this year.

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