BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANN HARPER, MILLBROOK ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Village Green Park in Millbrook was full of music lovers, as Brandon Elder took the state for the second installment of the “Tunes on the Green” Concert series Thursday evening.
The crowd came early and stayed late for the FREE event that will continue through the summer. Starting at 6:30 p.m., Elder kept the crowd on their feet, dancing, or just enjoying the “Tunes” until almost 9 p.m.
Elder is from Arab, Alabama and competed on American Idol two years ago.
During his initial audition for American Idol, Elder shared his story with judges. He said that his life may have started out with some difficulty, but over the years it made him strong, and feeling blessed. He considers himself very lucky.
Elder, now 25, was born to a 15-year-old mother, who he said was obviously very young an unprepared for the rigors of raising a child. He revealed that she traded him for a car.
However, the person who took him in was also unprepared for raising a child, and Elder was eventually adopted by a single mother, Patricia Elder. Patricia Elder worked multiple jobs as Brandon was growing up to provide everything he needed.
At the young age of 14, Elder learned that his mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer. It was during this time that he began to teach himself to play a guitar his mother had purchased for him. As her cancer progressed, he would often sing for her entertainment.
Sadly, his Mom passed away in April of 2016. His audition for Idol Judges was a song he wrote entitled “Gone,” which was made as a tribute to Patricia.
So how did Brandon get scheduled to perform in Millbrook? Interestingly enough it was a chance meeting between Elder and Millbrook Parks and Recreation Director Scott Davis. The two met on the golf course, and struck up a conversation. Davis asked if Elder would be interested in Tunes on the Green. Davis discussed the possibility with Tunes on the Green organizers, and a plan was made.
You can follow Brandon’s Elder’s music. Just search for his name on Youtube.com if you missed his performance Wednesday night. He is a young, up and coming performer with a bright future, indeed.
See more photos below.
