Back in the mid-80s, I had an unforgettable experience performing at Farm Aid. For those who may not know, Farm Aid was a massive event organized by Willie Nelson to support struggling farmers. It wasn’t just a concert; it was a movement—and an incredible platform for artists to come together for a great cause.

At the time, I was just 19 and performing as part of WAR, the legendary band my father, Harold Brown, co-founded. This was my first time playing in front of 100,000 people—and knowing it was also being televised to an audience of 2.5 million just made it even more surreal. WAR was one of the acts on that incredible lineup, and it’s hard to put into words how special it felt to be a part of something so meaningful.

Offstage, I had the chance to hang out with Willie Nelson and some of his iconic friends, like Kris Kristofferson, Hillbilly Jim (WWF) and others who were legends in their own right. They were as genuine and laid-back as you’d hope, and it was inspiring to see how much they cared about the cause.

Fast forward to today: I recently came across an old photo from that event—one of me, my dad, and Willie. Using a tool called KlingAI, I transformed that still image into a 10-second video clip. The result blew my mind. It brought that day to life in a way that wasn't possible 6 months ago. Even my late Uncle Clyde, who photobombed the original picture, makes an appearance. It’s a snapshot of history, now moving and breathing thanks to the power of generative AI.

Generative AI: Changing the Game in Creative Industries

AI is doing incredible things for industries like film, music, and visual arts. Here are just a few examples:

• Film and TV: AI tools are being used for everything from creating realistic accents (like in The Brutalist) to generating entire visual effects. It’s not perfect yet, but it’s changing how films are made.
• Music: Artists are blending human creativity with AI to write new songs, remaster old ones, and even create entirely new sounds. It’s an exciting time—but also one where we have to protect creators’ rights (Paul McCartney has been vocal about this).
• Visual Arts: AI is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, allowing creatives to generate new, stunning visuals at lightning speed.

Looking Ahead: A Vision for Generative AI and Storytelling

Since stepping away from the music industry, I’ve transitioned into producing film and TV content—and I’ve been toying with an idea that’s close to my heart. My father didn’t just play drums; he was also a filmmaker. In fact, the iconic music videos for WAR’s Why Can’t We Be Friends? and Low Rider were created under his production company. Throughout the 70s, he captured an incredible amount of footage, from WAR’s performances at legendary concerts to candid family moments, like me as a playing drums as a kid.

I’m envisioning a full-fledged documentary that weaves this footage into a rich, compelling story about those times. But here’s where it gets exciting: I want to leverage the power of generative AI to take it to the next level. Imagine bringing those moments to life in ways that weren’t possible even a few years ago—restoring and enhancing decades-old footage, recreating immersive concert environments, and maybe even providing fresh perspectives on the music and culture of that era.

I’m open to the idea of partnering with one of the major AI companies to bring this vision to life. With the right collaboration, I believe we could create something truly extraordinary—something that bridges the past and the present, honors the legacy of my father and WAR, and showcases the groundbreaking potential of AI in storytelling.

(Check out ‘Low Rider’ by WAR, featured in Gone in 60 Seconds with Nicolas Cage and Angelina Jolie.)

It’s amazing how technology can turn a moment frozen in time into something dynamic and alive. This journey has reminded me how important it is to preserve and share these stories—and I can’t wait to see where this path takes me next.