BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer

Every year, entertainer Shawn Brown hosts one of the biggest holiday events in the area. But, Brown will be the first to tell you, he feels blessed to be able to do this every year.

Brown has been a professional musician for more than 30 years, and has toured all over the world. He has opened for acts like Howard Hewitt, Roger & Zapp, Stephanie Mills, Al Green, Clarence Clemons, Christopher Cross, Earth, Wind & Fire, Keith Sweat, Ronnie Earl, and many others.

“Although I’ve enjoyed some success, and have been able to share that success with others, I learned long ago to not take life for granted, because it isn’t guaranteed to anyone.”

Between the months of November 2008 and April 2010, Brown entered one of the biggest battles of his life when he was diagnosed with cancer. He had already lost a brother to the disease, and was determined to beat it.

“I was blessed by God to get through that, but that aroused my dream to use my talent and music to help people who suffer from cancer. My New Year’s Eve gala is my way of partnering with organizations that work hard to save the lives of people suffering from cancer,” said Brown.

Brown partnered with the Gulfcoast Oncology Foundation in April 2011, and is looking to bring in even more organizations that deal directly with cancer sufferers.

“I want to enjoy every moment I have, because I don’t know when it will all end,” said Brown.

“I want to make a difference while I’m here, and maybe leave something behind where whoever follows me will pick up where left off.”