Bonnie Jean (Brown) Ring (1938 - 2016)

Born 31 Jul 1938 in Sparkman, Dallas, Arkansas, United States

Ancestors

Died 16 Jul 2016 at age 77 in Little Rock, Pulaski, Arkansas, United States

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Biography

Bonnie (Brown) Ring is Notable.

Bonnie Jean Brown was an American country music singer and member of The Browns, a sibling trio popular in the 1950s and 1960s. The Browns scored their biggest hit with “The Three Bells,” which became a 10-week Number One on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and a four-week Number One on the pop chart. In 2015, the trio was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.^[1]

Bonnie Jean Brown was born on July 31, 1938 in Sparkman, Dallas County, Arkansas. Her father was Floyed Iron Brown and her mother Birdie Lee (Tuberville) Brown. Her parents owned a small farm and ran a small saw mill. In 1940, she lived in Holly Springs Township, Dallas County, Arkansas.^[2] While she was still young, they moved the family to Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas.^[1] In 1950, she lived in Vaugine, Jefferson County, Arkansas.^[3]

Bonnie was the youngest of three siblings and grew up in a musical family. When she turned eighteen, she joined her older siblings Ella Maxine, and Jim Edward, who were already performing as a duo. Together, they formed the Browns and became known for their distinctive harmonies and heartfelt performances. Bonnie's rich contralto voice complemented her siblings' vocals, creating a unique sound that would define her career.^[1]

In the early 1950s, Bonnie, Maxine, and Jim Ed began performing as a trio and gained recognition in local venues around their hometown. Their talent caught the attention of music industry professionals, and in 1954, they signed a recording contract with the newly formed record label, Abbott Records.^[1][4]

The Browns' breakthrough came in 1959, when their single "The Three Bells" topped the country and pop charts. The song was a heartfelt ballad that showcased Bonnie's vocal prowess and the group's signature harmonies. "The Three Bells" remained at the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for ten weeks, establishing the Browns as one of the leading acts in the country music scene.^[1][4]

Following the success of "The Three Bells," the Browns continued to release hit singles, including "Scarlet Ribbons (For Her Hair)" and "The Old Lamplighter." Their music resonated with audiences across genres, blending elements of country, pop, and folk music. They became regular performers on the Grand Ole Opry and made numerous appearances on popular television shows like "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "American Bandstand."^[1][4]

Despite their success, the Browns faced internal challenges and personal struggles. Bonnie Jean Brown, in particular, struggled with the demands of fame and the pressures of the music industry. She battled substance abuse issues, which affected her health and strained her relationships with her siblings.^[4]

In 1967, the Browns disbanded, and each sibling pursued solo careers. Bonnie released a few solo singles, but struggled to replicate the success she had experienced as part of the trio. She took a step back from the spotlight and focused on her personal life, seeking treatment for her addiction and working towards healing and recovery.^[4]

Over the years, Bonnie Jean Brown made sporadic appearances in the music industry, collaborating with other artists and occasionally reuniting with Maxine and Jim Ed for special performances. She also dedicated herself to raising awareness about addiction and supporting others on their journey to recovery.^[1][4]

On July 16, 2026, Bonnie Jean Brown passed away at the age of 87, leaving behind a musical legacy that continues to inspire and influence generations of country music artists. Her contributions as part of the Browns, along with her soulful voice and heartfelt performances, have left an indelible mark on the country music genre.^[1][4] She was buried at Brealey Cemetery in Dardanelle, Yell County, Arkansas.^[5]

Bonnie Jean Brown's life and career serve as a reminder of the power of music to touch hearts and the resilience of the human spirit in overcoming personal struggles. Her voice and the music she created with her siblings will forever be cherished by fans around the world. In 2015, she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.^[1][4]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8} Wikipedia Contributors. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, last edited on 12 Apr 2023. "Bonnie Jean Brown." Accessed 22 Jun 2023.
2. ↑ 1940 United States Federal Census: Year: 1940; Census Place: Holly Springs, Dallas, Arkansas; Roll: m-t0627-00133; Page: 9A; Enumeration District: 20-9 Ancestry Record 2442 #101826808
3. ↑ 1950 United States Federal Census: United States of America, Bureau of the Census; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790-2007; Record Group Number: 29; Residence Date: 1950; Home in 1950: Vaugine Township, Jefferson, Arkansas; Roll: 1011; Sheet Number: 20; Enumeration District: 35-99 Ancestry Record 62308 #32723915
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7} Legacy, Bonnie Brown Obituary. (n.d.). "Bonnie Brown Obituary." Accessed 22 Jun 2023.
5. ↑ Burial: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/167065388/bonnie-jean-brown: accessed 22 June 2023), memorial page for Bonnie Jean Brown (31 Jul 1938–16 Jul 2016), Find A Grave: Memorial #167065388, citing Brearley Cemetery, Dardanelle, Yell County, Arkansas, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.

• See Also:
  • "Family Tree," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : modified 26 January 2019, 11:19), entry for Bonnie Jean Brown(PID https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/4:1:GMYY-9T7); contributed by various users.
  • "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KQVJ-RHV : 27 November 2019), Birdie Brown in household of Floyd Brown, Holly Springs, Holly Springs Township, Dallas, Arkansas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 20-9, sheet 9A, line 36, family 157, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 133.