Greg Brown ending concert career at Englert Theatre in Iowa City

Greg Brown's sold-out performances Feb. 16 and 17 at the Englert Theatre in Iowa City are slated to be the final official concerts of his career. But the shows aren’t his last waltz.

“First of all, I don't know why these shows are billed as my retirement shows,” Brown said from his Iowa City home. “I already retired in 2019 right after I turned 70. These are just some shows I’m doing because I got this wild hair about performing.

“For the record, I won’t be doing any more formal concerts, but if there is a charity event around town, I’ll be open to playing it. I still might get up there and perform, but I won’t be playing ‘The Iowa Waltz’ anymore.”

The moving and inspired tune was written by the Fairfield native more than 40 years ago.

“But the problem is, the song isn’t true anymore,” Brown said. “I can’t sing ‘We take care of our old/We take care of our young.’ It's not accurate. I would move out of Iowa if I wasn’t so old.

“Iowa has turned into a toxic mess due to the Republican administration. The water is some of the worst in the country. Our schools used to be respectable, including the college (University of Iowa) but those schools now are in the middle of the pack or are lower. People still say that Iowa feeds the country. Well, I hope the nation loves high fructose corn syrup and ethanol because that’s what we’re making here.”

Don't be surprised if the craggy-voiced folkie goes on a rant during his shows. However, the bulk of his set will feature songs that go back to his first album, 1980’s “44 & 66.” Brown has 25 albums to choose from when compiling his set list.

“I’m putting together what I’ll play so (multi-instrumentalists) Bo Ramsey and Dave Moore know what I’m doing and we can run through the songs. It’ll be a mix of things.”

After Brown’s set Feb. 17, the deep and underrated bard will head back to the cabin in his backyard to write songs that might never be played live.

“I enjoy writing songs, but I was never that crazy about the road,” Brown said. “Some people can’t live without going on tour. They play on stage until they keel over. I never wanted to do that. I wanted to stop performing before someone told me that it was time for me to quit.”

Seth Avett, who recorded “Seth Avett Sings Greg Brown,” released in November, asked Brown to join him on an upcoming tour. The answer was no, since Brown truly wants to stay retired.

Brown’s wife, Iris DeMent, has a new album on the horizon. “Workin’ on a World” will drop Feb. 24, and DeMent will tour behind the project. Will Brown stay at home or accompany her on the road?

“I’ll go out there and carry her guitar for her,” he said. “Iris still has some years to play out since she’s only 61 — and just wait until you hear her new album.”

Brown enjoys being married to DeMent since she knows what his career is all about.

“Iris gets it since she lives it,” Brown said. “She understands about going out on the road and writing songs. Now she’ll be going out on the road and I’ve lived it.”

When DeMent’s tour ends, Brown will be content to return to his home.

“I like that there is just enough to do in Iowa City,” he said. “It’s not like Eldon. This is the place to be for me since I have family and friends here. I like having people over for supper and I just pick up the guitar and start picking.”

When Brown feels like it’s time for isolation, he retreats to his home in southern Iowa.

“It’s so remote down there that it’s not even in a town,” he said. “I need space. My idea of a good time is not going anywhere. When I lived in New York when I was starting out as a musician, I liked it, but after a year I had to leave because I was feeling claustrophobic. When I have the need to be away from everybody, I go down south. This isn’t a bad life for a retired musician.”

While relaxing, Brown looks back at his enviable career. One of the highlights was recording the underheralded gem, 1993’s “Friend of Mine.” with the talented, late singer-songwriter Bill Morrissey, who has slipped through the cracks of history.

“Bill was a great writer and a funny guy,” Brown said. “He was fun to hang out with when he was sober, which was once in awhile. I loved Bill and I enjoyed working with so many of the people I made music with over the years. I had a great run and I’m just in another stage of my life right now.”