A top Nashville session musician for many years, Brooks draws upon his extensive studio experience, his remarkable song sense and his ability to recognize and develop new artists resulting in major label signings and chart success.
A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Brooks began playing drums at the age of fifteen, quietly perched behind a black pearl Gretsch drum kit. Heavily influenced by Hal Blaine and Jimmy Gordon, he went on to study music at Boston's Berklee College of Music.
Following his studies at Berklee, he pursued a career as a professional drummer in New York and Chicago, later moving to Chicago to become one of the town's hottest session players playing on a variety of contemporary records for solo artists and bands. As a member of Sunset Road, (a Crosby/Stills/Nash influenced group), he was brought to Nashville by producer Bob Montgomery to record. Encouraged by Montgomery and other members of the music community, Brooks moved to Nashville. With the faintest of smiles he recalls, "I went from being one of the busiest session drummers in Chicago, to playing the Roadway Inn outside of Nashville". But that didn't last long.
The new drummer began working on jingles and demos, and soon playing sessions for a variety of artists. It was a long, strange trip, as he jokingly remembers, "In the same week I recorded with Ted Nugent and Jimmy Swaggart."
Word quickly spread through Nashville's music community, and Brooks was called to start work with Dolly Parton. Her LP, "New Harvest, First Gathering", was Clyde's first project with the singer. He would go on to become the staff drummer on Dolly Parton's TV show, "Dolly".
Clyde has played on more than 8,000 sessions. Many gold and platinum awards have been presented to Brooks, particularly for his work with George Strait, Kenny Rogers, Tanya Tucker, The Oak Ridge Boys, Ronnie Milsap, Barbara Mandrell, B.J. Thomas, Dolly, and Kenny Chesney.
Brooks enjoyed success as one of Nashville's most in-demand music producers with CURB RECORDS' recording artist, Perfect Stranger, which climbed to #1 on Billboard's Heatseeker Album Chart; #2 in Country Single Sales, and residing in the Top Ten on the Billboard Country Chart for their single, "You Have the Right to Remain Silent". Perfect Stranger was also nominated for "Best New Group" at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Previous projects include co-production with producer/POLYGRAM president, Harold Shedd, on recording artist Ronna Reeves. Her LP, "The More I Learn", resulted in an Academy of Country Music nomination for Ronna as "Best New Female Vocalist". Clyde also produced Ronna's album, "What Comes Naturally", and her recording of "He's My Weakness" used on ABC's "One Life to Live", which was nominated for an Emmy Award. Clyde also co-produced Sammy Kershaw and Ronna on the duet, "There's Love on the Line".
A catalyst in the careers of many artists, Brooks produced recording artist B.B. Watson, the first signing by label president, Joe Galante, to RCA/BNA RECORDS, resulting in a Top 15 Record, "Light at the End of the Tunnel", and album of the same name. Clyde co-produced recording artist Charlie Floyd's "Charlie's Night life" album with label president, Jimmy Bowen, for CAPITOL RECORDS, and produced the band Pony Express, leading to their signing with CAPITOL RECORDS.
"FAIR SHAKE", a song produced by Brooks to support the video benefiting the Special Olympics, included recording artists John Anderson, Charlie Daniels, T. Graham Brown, McBride and the Ride, Lynn Anderson, Michelle Wright, Mark Collie, Suzy Bogguss, Lionel Cartwright and Pirates of the Mississippi.
Due to Clyde's diversity, his recording background has also included production for Clive Davis/ARISTA RECORDS, production on Simon Townsend Band, (Pete's younger brother), with members of Big Country, Go West, for London's DIGNITY/ATLANTIC. Hard rockers Lois Lane, ALLEGIANCE/CAPITOL; Folk Rockers, The Headlights, AIRBORNE/CAPITOL, and a solo project on Jason and the Scorchers, WARNER HODGES.
Clyde Brooks, president of NotStock/EMI Music, a previous 3 year joint venture with EMI Music Publishing, signed writers and writer/artists for development and label signings. Singles from NotStock include RCA artist Tracy Byrd, and Curb artists Perfect Stranger, McHayes and Lee Greenwood. Most recently, during CMA week 2002, Brooks was presented and ASCAP Award for the Kenny Chesney hit, "Don't Happen Twice", (one of the most performed #1 singles with album sales of over 9 million copies).
EMI Music Publishing/Nashville Executive Vice President/General Manager Gary Overton commented, "I couldn't be happier to be in business with Clyde. He has broad experience in various music genres, and we fully expect to put that breadth of experience to work at NotStock. I have admired his work from a distance for a long time and look forward to working with him."
Clyde has completed a CD for CAL IV ENTERTAINMENT with roots rocker writer Eric Fiedor, and recently returned from recording in Australia where he produced a CD on Australian rock group, Coloryard. The first single release has reached #3 on the Australian Rock/Pop charts.
One of Brooks' newest signings is artist Gabbie Nolen, to UNIVERSAL/REPUBLIC Records in New York. Her first single, "Almost There", has reached Billboard Magazine's Top Country Single Sales Chart at #1. Also recently produced, the newest CD by Perfect Stranger, "The Hits" on Curb Records. Brooks' production of B.B. Watson's, "Drivin' Under the Influence of Love" is currently being used by Dodge Trucks for their national advertising campaign, and was featured on the the 2002 Superbowl.
Artist Pete Schlegel and Tru South stayed at #1 for seven weeks on the German International Country Chart [see news] with the Brooks produced "Leavin' Ain't As Easy" and also placed two more songs at #1 off the "Strong Stuff" CD. Pete has also placed two songs on the Music Row Charts and will be the featured video artist on GAC starting in mid-October with "Whole Lotta Liquor To Like Her."
Brooks has just completed the debut CD on artist Bill Gentry of Wild Bills Atlanta fame. Wild Bills is the largest Country music club in the U.S. A song off the CD "Down In Georgia" is being used for the NFL Atlanta Falcon's for all of their home games.
Another recent CD completion is with neo folk artist Brent Reece. Brent is a resident of Atlanta, Georgia.
Brooks most recent signing is Smith & Harley. The duo combines rockin' country,Southern rock and classic rock. They are signed to California label 33rd Street Records. Also home of The Eagles, Peter Frampton and MTV/Modern rock favorite Modest Mouse.
Clyde wraps up 2005 with the # 1 artist and song on the ChristianCountry Charts for his production of singer/songwriter Mike Rimmey. See news also. 2006 sees Mike's second single "Joy Comes In The Morning" at #1, in addition to being nominated for best new artist at the televised awards in November 2006.
Clyde Brooks-Member:
• NARAS Producers Panel 1991 - present
• CMA, ACM and AFM
• Featured Panelist, Songwriters Guild of America, Producer/A&R Panel
• Featured Production Panelist, New England Songwriters Convention
• Featured Production Interview in New York’s db Magazine
• Various Articles in Billboard Magazine, Music Row Magazine, Modern Drummer Magazine, Nashville City Paper Profile
• 2004 Featured music producer judge at the Karaoke Café National Finals, as seen on E!
• 2004 feature judge, panelist and music producer of the winner at the Music Industry Conference. Clear Channel Radio and The Kentucky Arts Counsel sponsored the event. The studio production, with Brooks and singer Michael Moore was filmed for an upcoming PBS special.
• 2006- Clyde was a judge for world renouned vocal coach Renee Grant-Williams at her annual Master Class competition, attended by over 250 vocalists internationally.
Clyde Brooks has played with and recorded for music’s finest.
Here is a listing of a few:
| Emmylou Harris | Tammy Wynette | Sammy Kershaw |
| Patty Loveless | Pam Tillis | T. G. Sheppard |
| Willie Nelson | Ricky Scaggs | J.D Souther |
| Don Henley | Conway Twitty | Delbert McClinton |
| Alan Jackson | Loretta Lynn | John Anderson |
| Dwight Yoakam | Suzy Bogguss | Tom T. Hall |
| The Judds | Lynn Anderson | Marie Osmond |
| Jerry Lee Lewis | Mickey Gilley | Roger Miller |
| Charlie Daniels | Earl Scruggs | Michael Martin Murphy |
| Kathy Mattea | Hank Williams, Jr. | Chet Atkins |
| Ted Nugent | Sawyer Brown | Foster & Lloyd |
| Little Richard | Johnny Winter | Gary Morris |
| Reba McEntire | Dotty West | John Conlee |
| Merle Haggard | Chris Ledoux | Dan Seals |
| Vince Gill | Lori Morgan | Michael W. Smith |
| Linda Ronstadt | Alison Krauss | Alabama |
| Randy Travis | Mel Tillis | The Burrito Brothers |
| Tanya Tucker | Ray Stevens | Steven Curtis Chapman |
| George Jones | Sandy Patty | Staple Singers |
| Dolly Parton | Steve Earle | Shel Silverstein |
| George Strait | Bill Anderson | Floyd Cramer |
| Kenny Rogers | Kim Ritchie | Jimmy Dean |
| Oak Ridge Boys | Bill Gaither | Bobby Goldsboro |
| Ronnie Milsap | Brenda Lee | Burl Ives |
| Barbara Mandrell | Henry Gross | The Jordanaires |
| Jerry Douglas | 5th Dimension | Webb Pierce |
| Bela Fleck | Eddy Arnold | Ernest Tubb |
| Doc Watson | Jerry Butler | Christy Lane |
| T. Graham Brown | John Hartford | Tom Wopat |
| Jamie O'Neil | Buddy Jewel | |
| Porter Wagoner | Mark O'Conner |
Movie Sountracks Include:
• Sweet Dreams
• Coal Miners Daughter
• Tender Mercies
• The China Syndrome
• The Soldier