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"Private jets, tour buses, limousines, and the works!" - Meet Nate Brown, Drummer of "Everything"


Nate Brown of "Everything"

JMU alumnus Nate Brown says that like many of us, he’s been in love with music for his entire life. He had no idea his passion would grow into a lifelong career defined by what he calls “the works,” including millions of streams, touring the world, and countless fans. Nate’s story is both inspiring and electrifying; I am honored to share our interview and I hope his story will inspire another musician as much as it inspired me.





How the Journey Started

Nate says he’s been singing for as long as he can remember. “My older brother is a picker, and when he started out, it was all heavy metal. God bless my parents for tolerating that phase!” Nate’s older brother was in a band, and band practice was typically held in the Browns’ basement. The drummer left his drum kit set up for a couple of weeks, and Nate says curiosity got the best of him. When no one was looking, he sat down and started playing along to “Boy,” an album by U2. “BOOM! I knew what I wanted to do with my life… the rest is history!”

While attending JMU, Nate got involved in as much as possible. He says marching band was by far his favorite; it was an outlet for his passion for music, as well as a place where he met lifelong friends. Among these friends is Rick Deloney, who is currently in charge of drumline duties at JMU. Nate intended to be a music major, but his path didn’t exactly go as planned. “The music on the page was more than difficult for me to comprehend, and after several failed attempts at theory, I switched majors. It was humbling.” Nate further explains, “it was no fault of any JMU staff member or pedagogy… the music on the page was a foreign language that I could not wrap my mind around.” Nate says he could, however, read percussion charts rather well.


When a Passion Becomes a Career

One afternoon in 1989, Nate met his soon-to-be bandmates while sitting on the Quad. They named themselves “Everything” and began playing six nights per week up and down the East Coast, from frat parties, to clubs, to corporate functions and countless other gigs. “Everything” toured tirelessly for the next decade, a time Nate says was crucial for their band. “We really honed our craft… learning all we could from those we met along the way.” During this time, “Everything” was signed to several record deals. Despite the rollercoaster that is being a full-time musician, Nate makes it clear that he wouldn’t trade any of these memories for the world.


The members of "Everything"
The members of "Everything"


Who Got the Hooch?

Perhaps the most notable accomplishment of “Everything” is their song “Hooch.” The song was practically an instant hit; “it made it to the charts and crossed over to different genres of radio,” says Nate. The song gained even more attention when it was featured in Adam Sandler’s 1998 film The Waterboy. “Hooch” was also featured in the movie Clueless, the Scrubs Volume 1 soundtrack, and hit television shows My Name is Earl and Yes, Dear. “Things got interesting at that point,” Nate says. “We went from touring in vans, trucks, and rentals of all kinds to flying in private jets, tour buses, limousines, and the works! The switch was flipped! It was indeed a wild ride. I experienced things that not many people experience. And all because that dude left his drum kit in my basement for my brother’s band practice, ha!”


You can listen to “Hooch” by clicking here, just be prepared to have it stuck in your head for the next few days!


"Music has been so good to me..."

After an incredible journey, the members of “Everything” decided that their time touring the world was over for the most part. “We made a vow to remain comrades and continue writing and recording… we still connect and exchange musical ideas, and record when we can. Still love that band with all my heart and soul.” Nate doesn’t know who he’d be if it weren’t for music and his passion for playing the drums. “Music has been so good to me, it’s allowed me to see different cultures and experience life in other places.” He says he will always love Virginia the most, and he still writes, teaches, and records to this day (a quick JMUnderground fun fact: Nate actually played a studio session back in October with my insanely talented dad for an up-and-coming artist named Drew Pace!)

Nate is currently working on a degree in Biblical Studies/Theology and Doctrine. In his final words of our interview, he says, “I love writing music to and for God who created me and gives us all the gift of music! I am proud to be a JMU Duke, and the music program there is top notch.” Nate is one of the most genuine musicians I’ve ever had the pleasure of speaking with; his love for music and for life in general is contagious. Nate is a huge inspiration to all musicians, especially those at JMU. His story proves that a true passion for music will make a career out of itself.



And their website, too! https://www.thebandeverything.com/

 
 
 

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