Q: Where were you born and where did you grow up?

A: I was born in Penrith NSW and lived in Plumpton NSW until I was 9 before moving to Dandenong Vic where I lived until 17 and then moved to Maryborough Qld area

Q: Was there anyone in particular who played an influential part in shaping your career?

A: I have been influenced and encouraged by many people although they are probably not as well known in the industry as they deserve to be. Sharon Heaslip recommended I enter ABBA StarQuest in Tamworth which led me to Buddy Thomson and Lyn Bennett whom I hold in the highest esteem not just as musos…but as friends as well. Bob Magee has been there every step of the way and has been my rock. I guess if I was to pick someone whose style of music has influenced me most it would be Anne Kirkpatrick. There are far too many to list and I know I would forget some and that would be unfair. To anyone and everyone who has been there and continues to be there…..thanx a million.

Q: How long is it since you first got started in the industry?

A: I first started playing drums at the age of 13…had my first singing lesson at 18, but never really took it seriously until about 6 years ago

Q: What year did you do your first recording?

A: 2003 – A single CD which I recorded for the Royal Flying Doctor Service Spirit of Queensland Awards called – You’re Not Alone

Q: What was it that made you decide to go into the recording industry?

A: I actually never thought I was good enough to record, and it wasn’t until I toured with Stan J Hunt as part of the Country Classics in 2005 that enough people convinced me to give it a try….now I love it

Q: I know you’ve had a regular booking at the caravan park in Longreach, would you like to elaborate on that?

A: We were talking to Tom McIvor in Tamworth this year and he mentioned that he wanted to take this season off and he asked us if we would be interested in doing the season for him. Bob and I had performed at the Park the year before as part of a tour we were doing so everyone agreed and here we are.
The Show has become an indoor show now partly due to the weather and is receiving great comments from the visitors, Park Management and Head Office, which we are so thrilled about.

Q: I also believe you have been noticed by the Stockman’s Hall of Fame at Longreach, tell me more about that.

A: We were lucky enough to be asked to perform at the Hall Of Fame during the Drovers Reunion Week when I decided to approach the HOF with an idea for a music video, using a track from my CD. The track Our Women Pioneers tells of the struggles and hardships faced by pioneering women and was written by Ray Rose and won the NT Songwriter Award 2008 for Bush Ballad.
The idea was to utilize the Women of the West exhibition together with the statue of “Martha” which is representative of the Pioneering Women as the basis for the music video. The HOF have agreed to the idea and put their support behind it in raising the necessary funds to complete the video.

Q: How much time do you spend “on the road”?

A: Normally about 4 or 5 months but this year we have been based at Longreach since April and will continue here until the end of September.

Q: What do you do when you’re not touring?

A: Preparing for the next tour and attending the major Festivals like Tamworth, Bungendore, Boondooma and the like

Q: You released "One Of Kidman's Men" on Hillcrest, Hillcrest seems to do very well on the charts. What lead you to release a track with Ross & Hillcrest?

A: Ross emailed me and asked if I was interested in releasing a single internationally through Hillcrest. I wasn't sure at the time because Pioneers and Poets was such an Australian CD. I sent a copy to him and he thought that One Of Kidman's Men was very radio friendly for the countries that Hillcrest serviced. The rest as they say is history. It is so important to deal with the right people when making these decisions...I would not have picked One Of Kidman's Men and I am so thankful to Ross for knowing his market so well.

Q: Your most memorable musical occasion?

A: There have been lots and I am still so amazed that all these good things are happening to me but receiving an email from your publicist (RhonBob Promotions) saying One Of Kidman’s Men is #1 in the UK is pretty memorable

Q: Your most embarrassing musical moment

A: Again there have been lots…like dropping drumsticks…, forgetting words

Q: I have placed the titles of the tracks on your album below, and you may add a comment to any or all of them if you wish.

Q: Is there anything you would like to add that we haven’t already mentioned?

A: I am just so thankful that I have been given the opportunities to do something I really love. Also to the DJ’s and reviewers who are playing my music and have said so many kind things about me and to anyone who has bought the CD or requested the music video on CMC – I truly appreciate it. I would also like to thank Rhonda Sinclair from BLURB Creative Solutions. If anyone is passing through Longreach – don’t forget to drop in and say hello.

Thank you Denise for taking part in this interview. I’m sure there will be lots of people out there who will be interested to hear about Denise Brooks.

Pioneers and Poets

1) Through The Hard Times – (Bob Magee/John Seers) - an anthem for women…behind every good male is a better female….lol
2) Our Women Pioneers – (Ray Rose) - winner of the NT Songwriters Award 2008 – Bush Ballad…is the often understated role that women have played in our history…hopefully the next music video for CMC
3) Through The Eyes Of A Poet – (Buddy Thomson) – written by my mentor and good friend…. Buddy is an inspiration to the Bush Balladeers of Australia
4) A Scene From Long Ago – (Bob Magee/John Seers) – the first single from the album and currently screening on CMC (please go to CMC website and request it)
5) The Vanishing Breed – (Ray Rose) – although previously recorded by the likes of Slim Dusty and Tom Maxwell, this is the first time the full version has ever been recorded
6) One Of Kidman's Men – (Buddy Thomson) – released overseas through Hillcrest Canada and doing really well…I am so pleased for Buddy

Available from:
www.denisebrooks.com 
http://www.joysmusicworld.com/Artists/DeniseBrooks.html