is sometimes referred to as “the
Utility Man,” a name given to him
by a close friend because of his
ability to switch to whatever voice
is needed for that particular song.
In Real Love, Brooks is happy
to stick within the second tenor
range, and he has a multitude of
songs that he favors. “I just love
a good ballad,” he says. Some of
his favorites include “One in a
Million,” “Your Precious Love,”
“Rainy Night in Georgia” and
“Unchained Melody.” Brooks is
so in love with the last number,
he breaks out into song during
his interview - his voice smooth,
sweet and “cool,” just as his
nickname suggests.
Those songs are still often
requested by the Real Love
audience, a dedicated group of
fans who continue to attend soldout
shows, month after month.
Brooks, who joined the group in
early 2009, says he never tires of
hearing about how much joy the group
and their backup band bring to their
audience.
“Our generation, the Boomers, are
longing for their music, the music of
their youth. They love to listen to us,
which takes them back to a time when
they were teens, listening to the radio
with their friends and family,” he muses.
Like his group mates, Brooks enjoys
the playfulness of their interaction with
their audiences, whether it is taking
requests, dancing with friends or inviting
audience members to clap and sing
along. For him, getting to perform on a
regular basis is nothing short of joyful.
“I am absolutely euphoric once I open
my mouth and begin singing,” he says.
However, like many performers,
Brooks says he suffers a little from stage
fright and must calm himself down just
before hitting the stage. He is quick to
add that his butterflies quickly disappear
once the music starts and the group
begins.
“It’s a whole new world once we start
singing,” he says.
In addition to the great music the band
provides, audiences love the look of Real
Love as well. The costumes are always
on-point and the singers make sure their
matching suits are pristine. The band
often changes their look, which gives an
element of surprise to each show.
“We all look alike, from head to toe. If
I’m wearing a ring on my fourth finger,
so are the other guys,” says Brooks. “We
have so much fun with it. People
just don’t realize,” he adds.
Going forward, Brooks would
take great pleasure in writing
his own music. In addition
to singing, he is taking piano
lessons to learn to accompany
himself and write chords and
music of his own. There is no
need to ask what kind of song
it will be: Brooks says it would
definitely be a ballad.
“I’d like to write a song
that becomes a classic, like
‘Unchained Melody,’” he says. “I
would love my music to be my
legacy. Something my children
and grandchildren would enjoy.”
Brooks wants to see more
singers in New Orleans carry
on the tradition of R&B music,
singing standards and ballads
alike, and he thinks the city
could do a better job to promote
this genre.
“This is a music town. We
have to make sure every kind of music
is supported and promoted,” says Brooks.
By performing regularly with Real
Love and sharing his love of singing with
others, Brooks feels he is carrying on the
vocal group tradition. His love for gospel
music is a constant and he says he could
never stray from his passion for singing
in church. The world is a much better
place with his voice in it.
For more information about Real Love
visit them on their Facebook page or
website: realloveentertainment.com. To
book them for events and performances
call (504) 952-7581 or email them at cc@
realloveentertainment.com.
Real Love performs regularly on
the first Fridays of each month,
with two shows, 7:00 and 9:30 p.m.
at Pontchartrain Landing, 6001
France Road, New Orleans. Optional
buffet dinners or hors-d'oeuvres are
available for both shows. Call (504)
286-8157 for reservations. ��
PHOTO COURTESY OF REAL LOVE
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/realloveentertainment.com
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