Conversations with Suzie Brown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Suzie Brown.

Hi Suzie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m the daughter of two liberal Canadian folk music-loving… doctors.

I grew up listening to Simon & Garfunkle, Gordon Lightfoot, Pete Seeger, and having singalongs as a family. Later on, I discovered more singer-songwriters of the 70s and pop music and was totally obsessed with music. With two doctors as parents, and eventually, a sister who became a doctor, going to medical school was a logical choice for me.

I was always good at math and science and loved the idea of serving people/helping my community. I could never shake my love of sing and music though. I kept music in my life however I could – a Cappella group in college, open mic nights, plays, and cover bands later. I eventually picked up the guitar as a way of being able to sing (to myself).

It wasn’t until I was pretty much done with my medical training, in my mid-30s, that I got up the guts to write my first song. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. Within a year, I had decided to take a part-time job as a cardiologist so that I could have more time for music.

At first, I thought that would be a temporary arrangement, and that I would eventually go back to my “real life.” Now I know that this was always supposed to be my ‘real-life.’ I work half-time as an advanced heart failure/heart transplant cardiologist at Vanderbilt and spend the rest of the time as a musician and Mom.

I feel like the luckiest person in the world that I get to do so many things I love.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Is it ever a smooth road?? It’s a constant struggle balancing so many different things – it can be hard not to feel like I’m lacking in at least one part of my life all the time.

I want to give 100% to each but haven’t figured out how to clone myself yet. There are ways to look at it that make it easier – like being away from my kids at work teaches them independence and resilience and fosters their relationships with the other people who love them (like my husband).

Working part-time as a doctor allows me to recharge emotionally and as I result I have more to give to my patients. Having another job besides music allows me to pay my mortgage whether or not I write a big ‘hit’ or tour all the time, and I appreciate that freedom so much.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a singer-songwriter (folk/American style), cardiologist, and mother. The thing I’m most proud of will always be my two daughters – they are my most important accomplishment by far.

I’m also proud of my songwriting. I have received numerous songwriting awards and have been featured on CBS This Morning, in Forbes Magazine, and in People Magazine just in the last year.

And as a doctor… I’m the ultimate empath and that helps me really connect with my patients. I think what sets me apart is that I wear so many hats, and wear each of them well (if I do say so myself!).

What are your plans for the future?
I plan on doing more of the same! It’s a great place to be in your life when you don’t want to change anything. I don’t take that for granted. I want to continue to be there for my daughters, to keep making records, and keep helping my patients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.suziebrownsongs.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suziebrownsongs
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suziebrownmusicpage
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/suziebrownsongs
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCItvGoiUvAlre17kzXzINuA
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/suziebrownsongs/sets/some-see-the-flowers-final-master

Image Credits:
Nicole Murphy, Connie Chornuk, Daniel Dubois, Michael Weintrob, and Alex Berger