Today we’d like to introduce you to Craig Brown.
Hi Craig, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Back in 2009, a few of us found ourselves talking about something we all loved—singing. We enjoyed performing, but we also wanted something more than just another music group. We wanted a place where friendships mattered, where people could grow as singers, and where having fun was just as important as hitting the right notes.
So we started RSVP Chorus.
The name RSVP stands for Relationships, Singing, Variety, and Passion, and those four words became the foundation of everything we do. We wanted a chorus that would perform a wide variety of music, welcome singers of all experience levels, and create an environment where men could build lasting friendships through music.
What started as a small group of singers has grown into a brotherhood that has touched hundreds of lives over the years. We’ve performed throughout the Mid-South, sung for audiences of all kinds, and shared countless laughs, memories, and harmonies along the way.
While our music has evolved over the years, our mission remains the same: to use the power of singing to bring people together. At its heart, RSVP has never just been about music. It’s about the relationships we’ve built, the passion we share, and the joy that comes from making music with friends.
More than fifteen years later, we’re still doing what we set out to do—creating harmony, both on stage and in life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Obstacles Along the Way
If there is one lesson RSVP has taught us over the years, it’s that building a chorus is about much more than music.
One of our biggest challenges has always been recruiting and retaining singers. Like many community organizations, we have worked hard to attract new members while maintaining a strong core group. While we never grew to the size we originally imagined, we discovered that success isn’t measured solely by the number of people on the risers. The dedication, talent, and friendships of those who chose to stay have allowed RSVP to accomplish far more than many thought possible.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented perhaps our greatest challenge. Rehearsals stopped, performances disappeared, and the future of many singing groups became uncertain. Yet through patience, perseverance, and a commitment to one another, RSVP endured. When we were finally able to sing together again, we did so with a renewed appreciation for both the music and the friendships that make our chorus special.
Today, one of the greatest challenges facing organizations like RSVP is visibility. Years ago, it seemed more common for people to participate in civic groups, clubs, churches, and community organizations. Those groups provided opportunities to connect with others and build lasting friendships. Today, we compete with countless forms of entertainment and increasingly busy schedules. Convincing someone to leave the comfort of home and commit to a weekly rehearsal can be difficult.
Even so, we remain optimistic. Every time a new singer walks through the door, every time an audience member tells us how much a performance meant to them, and every time we gather around the risers, we are reminded why RSVP exists. In a world that often feels disconnected, there is still something powerful about people coming together to create harmony—not just in music, but in life.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
About Me
I am a founding member of RSVP Chorus and have been involved with the organization since its beginning in 2009. Today, I serve as co-director and sing tenor. Over the years, RSVP has given me the opportunity to combine two things I value greatly: music and friendship. In addition to RSVP, I also perform with the quartet The Times and the acoustic group BandDog.
Professionally, I serve as a Sergeant with the Memphis Police Department and am currently assigned to the Homicide Unit. I also retired from the U.S. Navy Reserve as a Chief Petty Officer.
Music provides an important balance in my life. After spending much of my career serving others in law enforcement and the military, singing has become an outlet that allows me to connect with people in a different way. Some of my closest friendships have been formed through music, and I continue to enjoy helping others discover the same joy of harmony singing that has meant so much to me.
I live in Bartlett, Tennessee, with my wife, and we are proud parents of two grown sons. Looking back, I consider being part of RSVP from the very beginning to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
What’s next?
Future Plans
As I approach retirement, I find myself thinking less about slowing down and more about what comes next. While I look forward to having more time for family, music, and new opportunities, one of my biggest goals is to help ensure that RSVP continues to thrive for future generations.
Organizations like RSVP don’t succeed because of any one person—they succeed when people invest in others. In the years ahead, I hope to help recruit new singers, develop future leaders, and strengthen the foundation that has allowed our chorus to serve the community since 2009.
I want RSVP to be here long after the founding members are gone, continuing to provide friendship, fellowship, and the joy of singing to men who may not even know today that they are looking for exactly what our chorus offers. If I can play a small part in helping make that happen, I will consider it time well spent.
The future of RSVP is not about preserving the past—it’s about building something strong enough to inspire and serve the next generation of singers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://WWW.RSVPCHORUS.COM
- Facebook: https://Www.facebook.com/rsvpchorus
