Key Points, Top Takeaways & Memorable Quotes - 

“I started drumming at age five and by the time I was thirteen, I was on the road with him (his dad) playing professionally in two of his bands, and that required me not only to learn a whole bunch of music not from my era, but also to witness contract negotiation, professionalism, how to deal with stuff that people just tend to not really get exposed to until they actually do it.” 9:30

“I learned a long time ago that if I wanted to eat, keep some heat, some air conditioning, and maybe some type of car that wasn’t falling apart, stuff like that, I needed to be flexible, I needed to be ready, and I needed to be able to jump on any opportunity that was presented to my within reason.” 32:09 

“Every drum that lives in any culture has a social aspect to it as well.” 35:59

“If you tell kids stuff is hard, then it will be.” 44:50

“Adults, we have to be better people, okay.  We start saying things in sarcastic tones or mean tones or our word choices…” 45:35

“Did you do your level best?” 52:49

“If the teacher is doing their job, the students take that lesson into life and then they can see that home conflict, professional conflict, interpersonal conflict is not always a negative device, it’s a constructive, positive interaction that you grow from.” 57:58

Bio -

Charles Brooks, D.M.A. is a classically trained professional jazz vibraphonist, percussionist, hand drummer, pianist, clinician, composer, and educator. Brooks holds a Doctorate in Musical Arts with a Composition minor from Louisiana State University. He is the Assistant Professor of Audio Engineering in the Department of Entertainment Industry at the University of North Alabama, where he heavily mentors students while teaching and equipping them with the skills necessary to understand how to seek out, recognize, and be fully prepared for professional opportunities in live sound and studio recording. He is a five-time Grammy-nominated educator recognized by international audio component giant K&K Sound.

In addition to teaching, Brooks also composes, performs, records, mixes and masters his own original music. Each tune reflects on his love of and appreciation for specific people in his life, as well as to his own experiences of personal growth. His albums are available on his website and most music streaming platforms. Known for his improvisational talents and personalized high-energy performances, Dr. Brooks captivates audiences with his wildly innovative four-mallet playing. And, by running the vibraphone through effects pedals, he provides added texture to his already unique sound, leaving behind a never-before-heard lasting impression that speaks clearly to the soul.

Show Notes -

0:00 - WIMTS Intro

0:17 - Charles Brooks Intro

0:39 - Welcome

1:31 - Performance Degree: D.M.A.

7:40 – Roots & Background in Music

13:53 – Gratitude to Vance Horton

17:15 – Expectations & Father/Son Bond

21:10 – Instruments

33:10 – Instruction Vs. Improvisation

38:52 – BB Commercial 

39:00 – You gotta make the gig

39:11 – Where/What/Who Do You Teach?

47:04 – Power of Positivity

50:33 – Family Life

54:43 – Learning Cultural Perspective

1:01:01 – You Need Options

1:06:22 – One Piece of Advice

1:08:46 – Story of a Student

1:13:02 – Teaching Summer Marching Band

1:17:06 – Where Can We Find You?

1:23:09 – Music is Healing 

1:24:34 – TY

1:24:49 - WIMTS Closing 

Links & Where to Find Charles -

www.TheCharlesBrooks.com

FB @TheCharlesBrooksMusic

IG @CBreezington

YouTube @MFCharlieb73