Slidell's own Nashville recording artist and rising star Jenny Brooks will make a special hometown appearance March 28 at the Slidell High School Centennial Celebration.
A graduate of Slidell High, Brooks' career has been a lifetime in the making, starting when she was a young girl performing at the World's Fair in New Orleans and for the New Orleans Saints.
"Before I realized my passion for singing, I grew up as a dancer," Brooks said. "Even as a little girl, I loved being on stage performing. I guess you could say I was, and still am, a 'ham.' I loved the challenge of performing on a big stage like at the World's Fair or for the Saints, and you can bet I was loving every minute of it."
During high school, Brooks continued working on her career through extracurricular activities.
"I was involved in the Thespian/Drama Club, Swingerette Dance Team and Varsity Cheerleader Squad. Those opportunities allowed me to develop a great sense of confidence as a stage performer, which definitely comes in handy now," she said.
Six years ago, Brooks decided to make her music dreams come true big time.
She packed up a U-Haul and headed to the country music make-it-or-break-it town, Nashville, but never forgot her South Louisiana roots.
"Everything about Louisiana is unique, especially its musical influences," she said. "I moved to Nashville to sing and knew nothing about songwriting. I felt like none of the songs out there represented who I was as an artist, so I began to write my own. I have always been a creative person and as I developed a love for songwriting, my Louisiana musical influences were bound to come out. When I'm creating a song, I can't help but incorporate a little R&B, a little jazz or Cajun flair and a whole lotta' sass and attitude into my music -- it's what I'm all about," she said.
Brooks' list of appearances and accomplishments is long and continues to grow as she continues to grow as an artist.
"I've had some amazing opportunities come my way on stage, but I think my biggest experience is yet to come," she said. "I plan to be on stage at the CMAs -- the Country Music Awards -- someday, maybe even the Grammmys. At that point, I'll know I am successful. Dream big, right?"
Her resume includes sharing the Superbowl halftime stage with Doug Kershaw and Irma Thomas, being a lead vocalist for Celebrity Cruise Lines touring the Mediterranean, appearing at countless festivals and concerts -- including a Hurricane Katrina benefit concert for Slidell, being the opening act for Lonestar, appearing as a featured act in the New Orleans Songwriters Festival and performing the National Anthem for all types of sporting and political events, including the New Orleans Hornets, Louisiana inaugural ceremonies and the Little League World Series.
She spent more than a year on the stage at the World Famous Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, has entertained audiences at the CMA Music Festival and appeared in several country music videos, including Tracy Lawrence's current video, "Till I Was A Daddy Too" and Lonestar's "Let Me Love You."
Brooks is also an award-winning songwriter.
"Country music is about life's experiences, and I love to write about that. Everyone can relate in their own way," she said. "Talk about Louisiana influencing my music -- the first and title track of the album is 'Down In The Bayou.' If that doesn't tell you what I'm all about, nothing does. I am an artist who believes in standing up for yourself, being proud of where you came from and what you have become along the way. You won't find me singing any 'tear in your beer' songs. In fact, my husband asked me why I haven't written him a love song yet, and I just had to laugh. It's not the kind of artist I am. I'm full of get-out-of-my-way, loud-and-proud, don't-let-the-door-hit-ya attitude and sass. Women nowadays don't want to hear about heartache and tears, we are a generation of strength and do-it-yourself attitude."
Participating in festivals and events close to home continues to be an honor for this hometown girl.
"I am excited to be a part of the SHS Centennial Celebration in March," she said. "I graduated from Slidell High and have wonderful memories of my time there. Dr. MacArthur was my Thespian/Drama Club sponsor and a wonderful teacher. Mrs. Long was my honor choir director and influenced me as a singer. Principal Joe Buccaran had a great impact on me as a student at SHS. I would have to say by far the most influential person in my life at Slidell High was Ms. Jean Chretien. She coached me as a Swingerette, varsity cheerleader and made me a better person because of her passion for life. I really miss her."
In addition to her appearance at Slidell High's celebration, Brooks is doing a whirlwind tour of the area, giving locals plenty of opportunities to catch her act.
"I will be promoting the album at several events around the area in the next couple of months, including the Amite Oyster Festival on March 21, the Louisiana Crawfish Festival in Chalmette March 28, the Crescent City Classic post-race party April 11 and the Cajun Hot Sauce Festival in New Iberia April 18," she said.
Brooks recently collaborated with accomplished producer Mark Oliverius to release her debut CD, "Down In The Bayou." The album includes 11 original songs written by Brooks and some of Nashville's greatest songwriters and is being sold at more than 30 Rouses stores in South Louisiana and Mississippi.
For more information, to listen to song samples or to find out when and where Brooks will be appearing, log on to Brooks' Web site, www.jennybrooksmusic.com or myspace.com/jennybrooky1.
Published on NOLA.com Wednesday, February 25, 2009 2:14 p.m.
Published in The Times-Picayune Thursday, February 26, 2009
