Crystal Senter Brown is (not) just a girl...

Join me as we walk for diabetes!  We're "Ellas Booshanes" walking for my late aunt Ella Louise Mason- Join us!

I am the daughter of a baptist preacher (Dad) and Painter (Mom).  My brother is a songwriter.  My son also writes/ performs. I come from a long line of ministers, musicians and artists.

I started performing at the age of 6- my Mom put me in a church based poetry class where I learned about Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, etc.  The first poem I ever performed was "The Negro Mother" by Langston Hughes.  It was 2 pages long and I memorized the whole thing!

I'm a Tennessee girl, born and raised in Upper East Tennessee.  My entire family still lives in Tennessee but I now live in New England with my husband, my teenaged son, and our pink polo wearing dog Serena Marie.  I've been in New England for over 13 years and my Tennessee accent is still alive and well!

I have released 3 independant cd's "Bee's are Admired", "easybreezybeautifulcoloredgirl" and "Mojo." 

Last year I published my first book of poetry "Doubledutch" 

 I'm working on a new cd, a book of poetry and a novel,

Songs I'm listening to as I write my new album:

Just Friends (Amy Winehouse),

Take the Box (Live- Amy Winehouse),

"Another Again" John Legend,

"Workin It"- Lil Wayne, (don't you dare laugh at me!)

"Green" by Edie Brickell,

"Step into the Realm (Live)"- The Roots,

"Adore"- Prince,

"Addiction"- Kanye West,

"Better than-Live" Terrell Carter,

 "Maybe"- Toni Braxton, 

"Some kind of wonderful"- Algebra

Do you have music to inspire me?  Send it along!  PO Box 273, Chicopee, MA 01014.

“When I was younger, and in much better shape, I played Doubledutch with my friends.  Sometimes the game could get brutal…the rope whipping at our ankles faster and faster…but we made it in and we made it out.  Doubledutch is now not (just) a game, it’s a book, it’s a view of life.  Crystal Senter Brown takes something traditional and fun and brings a new, more mature view to us.  This book should be read by every young woman.”

Nikki Giovanni, Legendary Poet, www.nikki-giovanni.com

“Its clear that Crystal ’s poetry skips through time like a broken blues record, leaving a haunting reminder to its audience that the power of the griot will not be denied. Proud to talk her talk and walk her walk, Mrs. Brown demonstrates through her spectacular vernacular that the true leaders of the Black community are its women warriors; her Nommo letting it be known that all suckers must bow down to the queens!” Alafia Hermana! Alafia!-

Shaggy Flores, Nuyorican-Massarican Poeta, Author of Sancocho: A Book of Nuyorican Poetry www.shaggyflores.com

“Crystal Senter Brown is further proof that GOD is a woman”-

Viso Ngozi, poet and author of ‘Voices of the Virtuoso’

“Crystal remains to be a voice for the mothers, the sisters, the lovers,the second guessers and the protectors of all things woman”-

Mahogany L. Browne, Author of Thin Skin, Poet, Columnist, featured on HBO’s Real Sex, www.mobrowne.com

“Even my kids, nine and nineteen years old, love Crystal Senter Brown.  I am proud to know that between football and girls and college and girls my Son will actually ask me , Mom, where's that poetry CD?  I believe it is my nine year old daughter's first time listening to this style of music/poetry, but she sings along to the large and lovely songs and is grateful, (because she's a chubby lil thing), that someone has something positive to say about the "Big Gals" for a change.  Crystal Senter Brown you are all that!  Please keep it up.”-

Nikki Carr, Comedian

“Time, good decision, and great work brings you to the top.

Crystal has laid this artistic path that so many communities can walk on and hear beautiful voices, cries of pain, all types of women. In the end we all come to this mirror and learn that it's ok to be ourselves. This is what I love about her work and working with her”

Maurice "Soulfighter" Taylor, poet and community activist www.c-a-h.org

“The Essence of Crystal is impossible to capture.  In knowing that, it will be insane of me to stop trying”-

Nigel Morgan, BBW artist, www.nigelmorganart.com

“If you called Crystal-Senter-Brown BIG OR FAT then you must be talking about her impeccable skills as a Singer, Writer, and Poet/Storey teller.  One glance at her performance keeps you wanting more.  She explores the many facets of love, relationships and real life issues in an artistic kind of way that makes you sit back and say that's what I'm talking about.  She is truly LARGE & LOVELY”-

Sassy Lady- Poet, www.sassylady.net

“Crystal Senter Brown is definitely a poet that touches the mind body and soul”- Carla Rowser Canty, poet and author of “Diary of a Blackgurl” www.carlarowsercanty.com

“Double Dutch, like all of Crystals work, excite, inspires and seduces.  Her offerings rise from deep within a powerful soul, with a gentle touch that can turn Diamonds to dust with its touchable images."- Bizz Zoc7, poet and author

My brother, my Mom and me

Me in my younger days...

My brother, my Mom and me

Me in my younger days...

 Me, my brother, my aunt ella (RIP) and Mama

Here is just a portion of the awards I have received as well as a few of the places I have performed. 

Awards/ Fellowships/ Nominations, etc

Massachusetts Project Grant Recipent (2004)

Massachusetts Project Grant Recipent (2006)

Massachusetts Project Grant Recipient (2008) Women Who Jam

Florence Poetry Slam, Winner

Westfield State Poetry Slam, Winner

Red Robin Mother's Day Essay Contest, Winner for Massachusetts

Valley Advocate Grand Band Slam- Best Singer (Nomination)

Valley Advocate Grand Band Slam- Best Songwriter (Nomination)

Urban Music Awards- Best Album (Nomination)

Urban Music Awards- Best Single (Nomination)

Urban Music Awards- Best Spoken Word Artist (Nomination)

Billboard Music Awards- Honorable Mention

Peacedriven Song Awards- Finalist

Teaching Experience

2006- Girl Scouts Camp Bonnie Brae

2007- Girl Scouts Latina Leadership Conference

2007- Girl Scouts STCC Camp

Publications/ Poetry and Lead stories

VIBE Magazine

Local Buzz

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Springfield Republican

Unity First Magazine

Large In Charge Magazine

I have performed at:

NABFEME Music Conference- A tribute to Nona Hendryx- Charlotte, NC

NABFEME Music Conference- Toronto, Ontario

Nuyorican Poetry Cafe (feature)-NYC

Westfield State College

Springfield Technical Community College

Baypath College

Springfield College

Amherst College

UMASS Amherst

Berklee School of Music

Jimmy's Uptown Poetry Cafe- NYC

Basketball Hall of Fame

Hampshire College

Gumbolive

Soul Cafe

Springfield LIbrary

Cadavez (DC)

Memberships:

NABFEME (National Association of Black Female Executives in Music and Entertainment) New England Network

Honorary Girl Scout