Stacy Brooks, by Virginiabluesman

(Washington DC) I am always on the lookout for a good interview, a good show and especially, good artists to feature on this site. I promised on my very first post here that I would also feature up and coming artists that aren't exactly household names yet. The Stacy Brooks Band is a great place to start.

Stacy Brooks is an Independent, not yet having signed with a recording label. That is sure to change very soon. This week I had the opportunity to interview Miss Brooks and my respect for her grew, not only as a musician, but as a person. She was very charming, and totally cooperative during the interview process.

Stacy says some of her major musical interests in her career have been Etta James, KoKo Taylor, Shirley Caesar, and Mahalia Jackson. She also was quick to point out that her Mother kept her singing when she was young and helped shape her career. Listening to Stacy sing, a person can definitely see these great artists influences in her style.

Stacy Brooks has been nominated for two Wammy awards this year by the Washington Area Music Association for Best Blues/Traditional R&B Female Vocalist and Best Blues/Traditional R&B Recording for her live CD titled Live At The Surf Club. I have sampled tunes from this CD, and have found it to be an enjoyable eclectic group of songs, sure to satisfy music lovers of all ages and musical tastes.

Kenny Neal, Stacy Brooks & John Nemeth

Stacy's next project sounds like something that could help catapult her to another level of popularity. She is currently working on a studio CD in which she is the Executive Producer, and it is being co-produced by Blues great Kenny Neal and Memphis Gold. The CD is titled Love Peace and the Blues, and features a duet with Kenny Neal, and he will also be playing his guitar on the tune. The CD will also feature an impressive group of guest artists like Memphis Gold, Greg Boyer (plays in Prince's band) playing trombone, Skip Pruitt on saxophone (Toni Braxton), Kenny Neal on guitar, and Spoon on drums (played drums with Heatwave with hits such as Always and Forever, Boogie Nights...). This CD will be coming out soon.

I asked Stacy how she got into the Blues, and she said that she started out with The Crap Blues Band headed up by DC radio personality Mike O'Meara . She says they enjoyed a moderate amout of success, but they were not moving in the same direction , so she went her own way. Stacy, The Crap Blues Band? That gave me a good laugh, even though I AM a fan of Mike O'Meara. Mike, you didn't know just what you had!

You can buy Stacy Brooks award nominated Live At The Surf Club CD by going to her official website http://www.stacysmusic.org/. It is a good CD to add to your Blues collection, and it will turn you on to one of the top Blues artists in the area, Miss Stacy Brooks.

Performing with Guy King in Chicago

Here is what Stacy's DC area tour dates look like for the immediate future:

- February 13 - 7:00PM  219 King Street - Mardi Gras Party    Alexandria, Virginia

- March 5 - 10:00PM  Pisces BDay Bash at Bangkok Blues  Falls Church, Virginia

- March 20  Calvert County Fairgrounds  Prince Frederick, Md

- June 4 - 10:00PM  Bangkok Blues  Falls Church, Virginia

The Stacy Brooks Band

Stacy Brooks - Vocals/Percussions
Tony Fazio - Guitar
Jeremy Boyle - Guitar
Charles "Reds" Adkins - Bass
Calvin Newbill Jr. - Drums

 Love...Peace & The Blues, the CD is coming!

Stacy Brooks
http://www.stacysmusic.org/
www.myspace.com/stacybrooksmusic
www.deltaboogie.com/stacybrooks
www.sonicbids.com/stacybrooks