By the time he entered kindergarten, Paul Michael Brown could sit down at the piano and pick out any tune by ear. His sister, Maureen Merwie, of Clarks Mill, recalled that some of her first memories of Mr. Brown were of the shows he reveled in producing for his family, and of his never-ending creativity and musicality.

Mr. Brown died Tuesday at his home in Carnegie after a long struggle with AIDS. He was 50.

A native of Pittsburgh, Mr. Brown attended both the University of Detroit and Duquesne University to study music.

"He often practiced in the middle of the night," said his sister, Karen Brown, of Detroit, who lived in the same dorm as he did at the University of Detroit. "I could always tell when Paul was playing." Mr. Brown left his studies, however, in favor of playing and composing on his own.

Mr. Brown's music was his life's inspiration. A regular performer at More' Restaurant and Oxford Center, he was also a writer and producer. Mr. Brown's career was marked by his renowned musical score for his production "Dracula, a Musical," which debuted in 1993.

He was the founder and leader of the local band Sweet Olive and a piano instructor. Mr. Brown produced several CDs, including the recording of "Dracula, a Musical" as well as "Voices of the People," "Shadows of Illusion," and "At Home."

Al Snyder, of Scott, his life-long friend and a studio owner, collaborated with Mr. Brown on his recordings. "You have to know to be simple and know how to touch somebody with music, and that's what he knew how to do," Mr. Snyder said.

Miriam Plessent, of Scott, a friend of Mr. Brown's for 25 years, said, "His heart was as big as his talent. I learned so much from him." Mr. Brown produced songs, lyrics and compositions in his head faster than he could record them on paper, she said.

Despite the physical limitations, Mr. Brown persevered with his music throughout his illness. He composed new songs, wrote a novel titled "Boardwalk," and rediscovered his love of classical piano.

Some of his work completed during his infirmity expressed the challenges he faced in battling the virus. Mr. Brown was very open about his illness. He performed at several public benefits for AIDS and recently attended an AIDS convention in California, Pa., where he shared his music.

In addition to his two sisters, Mr. Brown is survived by his mother, Rita Brown, of Scott, and six nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Paul Michael Brown will be at noon July 26 at Peter's Place, 1199 Washington Pike, Collier.