by Dick Conklin

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Not every restaurant or bar can afford to hire a three or four-piece band. Many use solo performers — one person playing a guitar, singing over background music, or both. Some are good, some OK, some terrible. Most of them seem to be guys.

That’s why we were quite surprised the other night when we stopped at Jerry’s Tiki Bar (a.k.a. Jerry’s Pizza) in Ponce Inlet for one of their delicious pizzas. The evening’s entertainment was a young singer-songwriter from New Smyrna Beach named Mandy Brooke. Her golden voice and guitar skills caught us by surprise, and in no time her wide range of music captivated everyone who was there. What’s going on — a singing diva at our local pizza joint?

Mandy Brooke has been captivating local audiences with her singing and guitar playing.

She may be only 19, but she sounds like someone who has been singing and playing for years. And she has. She says that her passion for music has always been there. “I was 12 when Dad showed me my first few chords on the old Gibson Challenger. Since then, I’ve been hooked!”

During career day in first grade, Mandy announced she was going to be a singer and then proceeded to sing her heart out to her classmates. She performed at school talent and variety shows. She sang in her church choir in fourth grade and won a Karaoke contest at the age of nine. She sang at open-mic nights and did living room shows for her family. She started writing her own songs not long after she picked up that Gibson guitar. “I was 14 when I played my first gig and I have been performing in different restaurants, bars, and lounges ever since. I love my job and couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else!”

She has set her sights beyond Volusia County, spending last summer in Nashville. She is now under new management with ASCAP Award Winner and two-time Grammy nominee Bill Rice. She recorded a four-song, full band demo at the Sound Emporium Studios in Nashville, and it is waiting for release. “It was an absolute blast!” she says.

Mandy connects well with audiences of all ages, playing a range of music from classic favorites to the latest hits. Her style and composure is unique for someone her age, and some fans have called her an “old soul.” In addition to popular cover songs, she also writes and performs her own music. She sings some classic jazz standards along with a little country and popular songs from the 1990s and today. She calls her playlist “a bit of everything for everyone!”

This includes songs like “When Doves Cry” by Prince, “Who Will Save Your Soul” by Jewel, “Fever” by Peggy Lee, “I Run To You” by Lady Antebellum, and “Maggie May” by Rod Stewart. Her own compositions include titles such as “Perfectly Incomplete”, “My Mother’s Daughter”, “Life To Me” and “Chaotic”.

Anything topping the music charts in 1998 was constantly playing in her bedroom, she says. “As I grew older, I began delving into the pop/club genre, metal and jazz.”

Yet she retains a humble demeanor in spite of the praise she receives. “I’ve always dreamed of this and It’s hard to believe its happening,” she says. “I can’t wait to keep going, writing and playing. I want to thank everyone for coming to my performances and supporting me.”

For now, It’s just Mandy and her acoustic guitar but she loves performing with a band as well.

Her calendar is filling up quickly, but you can find her singing at places like:

• 09/18/10 5:30 pm Mai Tai Bar in Daytona
• 09/24/10 7:30 pm The Grille At Riverview, New Smyrna Beach
• 09/25/10 7:00 pm Luna Bella Restaurant, Venetian Bay, New Smyrna Beach
• 10/01/10 7:30 pm The Grille At Riverview New Smyrna Beach
• 10/08/10 5:30 pm Mai Tai Bar, Daytona
• 10/09/10 7:00 pm Luna Bella Restaurant, Venetian Bay, New Smyrna Beach
• 10/15/10 7:30 pm The Grille At Riverview New Smyrna Beach
• 10/16/10 3:00 pm Jam Fest/Edgewater Ranch, Edgewater (opening for Uncle Kracker and Tracy Lawrence)
• 10/21/10 6:00 pm Western Carolina State Fair, Aiken, South Carolina (opening for Gloriana)
• 10/23/10 6:00 pm Luna Bella Restaurant, Venetian Bay, New Smyrna Beach
• 10/29/10 5:30 pm Mai Tai Bar, Daytona
• 11/05/10 7:30 pm The Grille At Riverview, New Smyrna Beach
• 11/19/10 7:30 pm The Grille At Riverview, New Smyrna Beach
• 11/27/10 7:00 pm Luna Bella Restaurant, Venetian Bay, New Smyrna Beach

For more information:

• Web site – mandybrooke.com
• Facebook – facebook.com/mandy.brooke1
• MySpace – myspace.com/mbrookemusic
• Promotional Management – management@mandybrooke.com
• Booking Inquiries – booking@mandybrooke.com
• Phone – (386) 847-0132

Original Review by Daytona Beach Nightlife Examiner, Dick Conklin:
http://www.examiner.com/nightlife-in-orlando/mandy-brooke-surprises-local-music-fans-review

PlayClub 92.7 Interview with Mandy Brooke

Vital Stats

Age: 18

Instruments: My voice and my acoustic guitar are my main tools of the trade but I love playing piano as well.

Band: I’m solo for now, but I love the charged energy when I play with a band.

Day job: I’m so incredibly lucky I have the chance to sing and write songs professionally.

It’s something I’m crazy for and to have it be my full-time job makes it that much sweeter.

Hometown: Edgewater

Current residence: Edgewater

Type of music you perform: Mostly pop-rock genre: 1990s and current popular covers, some original songs as well as a few jazz standards to mix things up a bit

Repertoire sampler: “Hand in My Pocket” by Alanis Morissette, “When Doves Cry” by Prince, “Who Will Save Your Soul” by Jewel, “Maggie May” by Rod Stewart, “Girl From Ipanema” by Astrud Gilberto, “Fever” by Peggy Lee; originals include “Chaotic” and “Perfectly Incomplete”

Upcoming area gigs: 7:30-10:30 p.m. June 25, The Grille at Riverview, 101 Flagler Ave., New Smyrna Beach
6-10 p.m. June 26, First Turn Bar & Lounge, 5236 S. Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange
5:30-8:30 p.m. June 27, Mai Tai Bar, 250 N. Atlantic Ave. (Ocean Walk Shoppes), Daytona Beach

CDs: I usually always have some demos and work tapes available at my performances at $5 a piece. E-mail me at Mandy@MandyBrooke.com if you want to make a purchase. I will gladly send one out!

Websites:
MandyBrooke.com
Myspace.com/MbrookeMusic
Facebook.com/Mandy.Brooke1

Taking Notes

Who or what inspired you to take up music?
My Dad. Growing up, my father’s passion for music was so tangible, I couldn’t help but fall for it too. I was 12 when he taught me my first few chords and I was fixated from that day on.

What was the most unusual or memorable gig you’ve ever played?
I performed at the Blue Bird Cafe for a Sunday Writers’ Night in Nashville, Tenn. Hundreds audition for a chance to play just a few of their originals and I was one of the chosen few! At the time I was 16, and it was the biggest performance I had ever done. I was so nervous and I honestly don’t remember what happened after I got on stage. All I know is I sang my heart out.

What musician/celebrity/historical person would you most like to have dinner with?
Zakk Wylde. Honestly, it wouldn’t be dinner as much as it would be him throwing back some cold ones while I watched him rip on his Bulls-Eye Les Paul. Seriously, he is my guitar hero.

What was the last book you read?
“Frostbite” by Richelle Mead (yeah, I’m a vamp fan)

What CD/tape/music is in your car/home stereo/iPod right now?
Bryan Adams’ “Reckless” album and Enrique Inglesias’ new single are blasting on my car stereo.

What is your favorite movie?
I don’t have a favorite movie, but I’m a huge horror movie buff and a sucker for a love story.

What was the best concert you ever attended?
It’s a tie. One was Black Label Society at the House of Blues in 2007. My Dad, Uncle Pat and I waited in line for hours and I ended up being the only girl in the front row. It was loud, insane, powerful and totally awesome!

The other was Hanson in 2008. Yes, the band famous for “MmmBop” in the ’90s. My sister and I sang along to songs new and old, feeling like our childhood came back for an encore. Both concerts, however drastically different, were incredible.

“If I didn’t play music, I would . . . “:
Have a career where I could study history, read weird, funky books and travel the world.

“I’d sell my soul for . . .”:
People say I have an “old soul,” so I think I’ll keep it for a while longer.

For management inquiries, please email
Bill Rice at management@mandybrooke.com.

For all other inquiries, including booking, please email
booking@mandybrooke.com or call 386-847-0132.

Mandy Brooke Performs at Together in Hope Record Breaking Brain Tumor Vigil

Miles for Hope broke an existing Guinness World Record last evening for the most candles simultaneously lit in a single venue. We had 1,049 candles lit within the time constraints that Guinness sent us.

All documentation of the event will be gathered and sent to Guinness over the next couple of weeks for them to review and certify the new record.

Miles for Hope would like to give special thanks to Drew, who threw the opening pitch and who we love; to Mandy Brooke and her family, who we instantly fell in love with, and to Dr. Liau and her family for coming in for the event from Los Angeles.

Barb and I would also like to thank all that attended the event and also to offer a special and sincere thanks to our 23 volunteers, who made this possible.

We have several upcoming events planned, and encourage all to sign up for our newsletter in order to keep up to date and informed.

Photography by Shawn with Miles for Hope.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37404454@N08/page4/

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