Born in South Bend, Indiana, Michael Jerome Browne moved to Montréal in his teens. His English professor parents exposed him to music by taking him to local jazz, blues and folk clubs. He soon mastered the guitar and harmonica, and toured Europe and North America as a one-man band. After returning to Montréal, he joined the Stephen Barry Band and recorded four albums with them. He went solo in 1999, playing a repertoire blending Cajun, country, classic blues and old-time string band. He has a stack of Juno and Maple Blues nominations and awards, in numerous categories, including Acoustic Act, Guitarist, Songwriter, and Producer. He has recorded a handful of albums, among them a self-titled debut disc (1998), This Beautiful Mess (2008) and The Road Is Dark (2011).