Oct
01

TEDxDetroit Presenter Michael Braun of Joybox Express

Fri Oct, 2010 by Digital Bus

Michael Lincoln Braun, a.k.a Mr. B, was born and raised in Flint, Michigan and journeyed to Ann Arbor, in the 70’s, where he immersed himself in the musical styling’s of blues and boogie legends like Little Brother Montgomery and Boogie Woogie Red. It were these very legends who helped him learn his craft first-hand, a craft that he is now using to help two of his lifelong passions.

When Mr. B was twenty-five years old, he wanted to hop on a bike with a piano and ride around to see who he could meet. He wanted to play boogie and blues piano for kids playing on the sidewalk, grandmothers sitting on their porch and anyone else who wanted to listen. Last year, this dream became a reality when he, and three other musicians, rode 300 miles across the state of Michigan. They rode from Saugatuck to Detroit hauling their instruments, including a 352-pound piano.

Mr. B coined this trip the Joybox Express and along the way they performed at various events, raising awareness and money for charitable organizations that support young people in the arts and athletics. Those are two of his lifelong passions and through this journey that Braun has embarked on, he is inspiring people to follow their dreams. Mr. B’s next adventure is to ride the Joybox Express from Mississippi to New Orleans.

Please visit Mr. B’s website to track his progress, find out more about his story and to make donations.

1 Comment