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If These Walls Could Talk
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wayne Baker Brooks to share a new song on Valentine’s Day 2021 weekend, the first from the upcoming album “Blu Spectrum”

CHICAGO, IL – Wayne Baker Brooks is set to share the new single “If These Walls Could Talk” on Friday, Feb. 12th, 2021, Valentine’s Day weekend. Brooks once again exhibits his modern approach to traditional blues, but this time he blends an essence of r&b and soul. His smooth but passionate voice takes you on a journey with two lovers who can’t stay apart from each other — which is especially relevant during this unprecedented Valentine’s Day when everyone yearns for more connection and love. But this song is just that with a blissful twist —a twist Jada Pinkett Smith would call “An Entanglement”!

“If These Walls Could Talk” was written by Brooks and hit songwriter Bruce McCabe (Jonny Lang’s “Lie To Me”), a longtime writing partnership that started back in the late 1990s. The r&b and soul-drenched blues track was recorded at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California, and produced by two of the best in the industry: famed duo bassist Ethan Farmer and vocal producer Rob Lewis, Chicago’s version of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.

You can pre-save, pre-add, or pre-order the track at https://wbb.band/walls or get the track via streaming platforms Spotify, Apple Music. It will also be available on all popular online retailers. The song is the first single from Brooks’ upcoming album, “Blu Spectrum,” which is scheduled to be released in 2021. The album will illustrate how the blues music genre is related to all American music.

Production:
Produced by Ethan Farmer & Rob Lewis
Arranged by Ethan Farmer
Vocal Arrangements by Rob Lewis
Recorded at Paramount Studios (Hollywood, CA)
Mixed by Chris Harden at In Vault Lab Studios, Chicago, IL Mastered by OmniVerse Music Group, Chicago, IL
Recording Personnel:
Wayne Baker Brooks – Vocals, Lead Guitar
Ethan Farmer – Bass (Lionel Richie, Janet Jackson, NKOTB, Darius Rucker) Agape Jerry – Guitar (Vanessa Williams, Tamia)
James Gamble – Drums (Boys II Men, LL Cool J)
Jason Freeman – Keyboards (Beyonce’, Jill Scott, P Diddy, Timberland) Rob Lewis – Background Vocals (Christina Aguilera, NKOTB)
Miguel Gandelman – Programmer (Jonas Brothers, Prince, Stevie Wonder)
Wayne Baker Brooks is considered one of today’s top guitarists whose signature style combines
powerful vocals with liquid fire guitar playing that honors his rich blues heritage yet effortlessly expand the boundaries of the genre. The youngest son to late blues legend Lonnie Brooks, he is self-taught and has earned his way by blazing his own musical trail. “He may have been born into Chicago blues royalty, but that doesn't mean he hasn't paid his dues along the way.” --ALL MUSIC GUIDE

“The guitarist and singer arrive a fully developed talent and a maverick whose distinct brand of blues incorporates elements of rock, R&B, funk, and even a trace of hip-hop. Mystery delivers mainstream appeal without betraying the family legacy.” --Blues Revue Magazine

“Mystery is not just a strong debut, it's a fully formed new vision that updates the sound of the blues without falling into the same tired blues-rock clichés. Instead, Brooks adds some soul, funk, and even a little hip-hop to his solid blues foundation and comes up with a great set of all-original tunes.” --ALL MUSIC GUIDE


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Wayne Baker Brooks has more “Tricks Up His Sleeves”
CHICAGO, IL – Blues Island Records announces the upcoming release of Wayne Baker Brooks’ new track “I Can Read Your Mind” from the much-anticipated EP “Tricks Up My Sleeves”
Brooks commemorates the beginning of “Black Music Month” and pays homage to all the Blues Legends we’ve lost recently with this new track. Blues Island Records makes the digital release of his new single available online June 5th just in time for the 2012 Chicago Blues Fest. “I Can Read Your Mind” is a track off Wayne’s upcoming EP titled “Tricks Up my Sleeves”, which will be available in stores, online and on iTunes July 31st.
“I Can Read Your Mind” has a classic Blues vibe with a screaming harmonica that is played by none other than Blues legend, Sugar Blue. “While Blue was recording his part, I was mesmerized at the notes that he was hitting.” said Brooks, “That’s Sugar Blue. There’s no one like him. He’s a unique, creative force and that fits well with what I do.” The song has the prowess and allure of the manipulative seductress the song is about, making it something you want to hear over and again.
Additionally, Wayne Baker Brooks has recorded a remixed version of the single “I Can Read Your Mind” that fuses Blues with Hip-hop, adding a modern edge to the song. Featured on the remix track is Chicago native, Twista, well known for his rapid articulations. The remix reflects Brooks’ innovative sound, and is set to come out with the full album, which will be released later this year.
So as the summer heats up and music pours through the city streets, let’s not forget Chicago’s roots in the cool sounds of the blues. For more information or to hear Brooks’ other tracks, visit www.waynebakerbrooks.com. For inquires and interviews, contact Blues Island Records & Productions at (773) 336-2589 or (312) 546-5703.


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Wayne Baker Brooks releases his first collaboration with Tom Hambridge: “Changeling”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Wayne Baker Brooks set to release his first collaboration with Tom Hambridge: “Changeling”

Chicago, IL - “Changeling” written and produced by Grammy® Award-Winning, FOUR-Time Grammy®- Nominated, ASCAP Award Winning Producer, Songwriter & Drummer Tom Hambridge marks Wayne’s revisit to his debut style: mainstream blues rock.

The landmark single was recorded at the legendary Blackbird Studios in Nashville, TN. Asked what made him consider recording a song written and produced by someone else for the first time in his career Wayne answers: “When I met Tom for the first time I didn’t realize it was the Tom Hambridge that catapulted so many careers. I always really liked Tom’s style of writing and producing. After talking for a while I really liked his vibe. When we finally introduced ourselves I was blown away.”

“Changeling” is the first of 3 songs produced by Hambridge to appear on Wayne’s upcoming album release later this year. “Changeling” also marks Wayne’s first time recording a song that was not written by him; Wayne comments: “When I checked out the song I said, yeah – I can do this. I love the vibe, I know someone exactly like that; When I write my songs it’s about real things and about my life experiences, I thought immediately I can sing this.”

Bios:
WAYNE BAKER BROOKS: Guitarist, Vocalist, Composer, Producer, Author Meet the youngest son of blues great Lonnie Brooks ! Wayne joined his father's band at the end of the 80’s and worked his way up from roadie to guitarist to bandleader. Additionally, in 1997, he formed the Wayne Baker Brooks Band. In 1998 Wayne Baker Brooks spear-headed & co-wrote “Blues for Dummies” with his father and Cub Koda, earning his first Real Blues magazine award (Keeping the Blues Alive). Wayne released his solo debut “MYSTERY” in 2004, a contemporary blues album that also draws on rock, soul, funk, and hip-hop. Allmusic.com rated the album with 4 stars and praises: “!Mystery is not just a strong debut, it's a fully formed new vision that updates the sound of the blues without falling into the same tired blues-rock clichés!”

TOM HAMBRIDGE: Grammy-winning producer Tom Hambridge is known worldwide as one of the hardest working and well-regarded “first call” musicians in the business. His professional credits include touring, producing, songwriting and recording with: Chuck Berry, Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter, Susan Tedeschi, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hank Williams Jr., Delbert McClinton, Bo Diddley, BB King, Meat Loaf, NRBQ, George Thorogood, Billy Ray Cyrus, Boston, Shemekia Copeland, Gretchen Wilson, Rodney Atkins, Van Zant and many more. He recently received a Grammy for Producing Buddy Guy's album 'Living Proof', which won the Best Contemporary Blues Album of the year Award at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards. Also a very active solo artist, Tom has released five critically acclaimed CD’s and has been featured as guest vocalist on the Disney soundtracks “Cars” and “Ratatouille”.
For more information, or to purchase a copy of “Changeling”,

visit:
www.waynebakerbrooks.com or www.bluesislandrecords.com

For inquiries and interviews, contact: Blues Island Records at (773) 336-2589 and Lynn Orman at (847) 452-6469.

For log on credentials to the media tab of www.waynebakerbrooks.com please send an email to: publicity@bluesislandrecords.com.

Blues Island Records P.O. Box 2052 Calumet City, IL 60409 Phone (773) 336-2589 www.bluesislandrecords.com

Wayne Baker Brooks Breaking New Ground With “Something’s Going Down”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:


Blues/rocker guitarist extraordinaire Wayne Baker Brooks has gathered some of the biggest names and talent in Chicago music for his revolutionary new single, “Something’s Going Down.” The genre-bending track features artists Twista (Perfect Storm, Adrenaline Rush, Kamikaze), GLC (Love, Life, & Loyalty, Grammy recipient for Kanye West tracks “Spaceship’’ and “Drive Slow’’), and Sugar Blue (Rolling Stones’ “Miss You’’).


Brooks, is transforming both modern music and the Blues. “So much of what’s out there sounds the same,’’ says Brooks. “I wanted to create something different and something undeniable with my music.” The result is a unique fusion of heavy Chicago Blues, Blues Rock, Soul and Rap/Hip-Hop that could be dubbed its own cultural movement.



Brooks knew that there was no better place to start that movement than in his hometown of Chicago, the birthplace of the Blues. Using only Chicago natives, he put together some of the biggest talent in the business to create a song that showcases the many different sounds of the iconic musical city.

Brooks says he’s been working on the concept behind the song for at least 10 years, dating back to when he recorded the song, “Nu Kinda Blues,’’ on the album Mystery, which featured Blues, Hip-Hop and House music. “I first experimented with the concept back in 2001 while I was in the studio during the recording sessions for Mystery.’’

The concept of fusing real Chicago Blues with Rap/Hip-Hop had been brewing in his head for a few years. He met Eve on the set of the movie, “Barber Shop.’’ She offered to get involved in the project, but a fateful meeting with Aerosmith, Kid Rock and Run-DMC in 2003 changed everything. “Jam Master Jay took the idea seriously,” says Brooks. “He liked the idea so much he wanted me to come to New York to work on it. That’s when I knew I was onto something big.”

But three weeks before the two planned to hook up, Jam Master Jay was shot and killed. “I couldn't believe someone would do that to the nicest guy in the world. It really killed my spirit at that moment. He really understood what I was trying to do -- and then he was gone.’’

It wasn’t until 2007 at an All-Star Blues Bash at Chicago’s House of Blues – a concert Brooks put together featuring some of the biggest names in the business -- where he discovered just the right people to make it happen. During an impromptu jam session, the then up-and-coming rapper GLC took the microphone and began to put lyrics over Brooks’ guitar riffs. The two musicians jamming on stage was nothing short of serendipitous and created just the sound Brooks had been searching for all those years.



The lyrics to “Something's Going Down’’ came just as suddenly. While watching Barack Obama campaign for president, Brooks suddenly felt overcome with pride and enthusiasm. “Obama would just get so worked up, you could feel it. I remember just blurting out the lyrics, and I knew I had to write them down,” Brooks says.

The chorus was born: “Something’s going down in the city/Something’s going down in this town/Better get ready for the real nitty gritty/This is how the Chi gets down.” (This last line is an ode to all the greatest of the greatest who hailed from Chicago, Brooks says.)



Brooks sees the song as the start of something radically different in the music business, something that expands the range of Rap/Hip Hop and gives a jolt of fresh air to the Blues, which needs to appeal to younger audiences if it’s going to survive.

Brooks is also reaching out to other well-known rappers to get them involved in the ground-breaking project. "I have a song for Lil' Wayne, Akon, Mos' Def, Common, & Snoop Dog" says, Brooks. "I am also hoping they will hear this song and want to contact me themselves."



“Something's Going Down” will be released Feb. 15th, 2011


Brooks is in the early stages of booking a tour, and he is in talks to create a movie about the movement.



For more information, or to purchase a copy, go to

www.BluesIslandRecords.com, www.waynebakerbrooks.com


Bios

Twista, a Chicago native, has been rapping since he was 12 years old. Since his debut album Running Off At Da’ Mouth in 1991, Twista has been tearing up the charts worldwide. The Guinness Book of World Records has clocked Twista as the faster rapper alive.



GLC rose to stardom after a guest appearance on the song “Spaceship” from Kanye West’s Grammy-winning album, The College Dropout. GLC is one third of the Chicago rap group, The Go Getters, along with Kanye West and Really Doe. Look for his debut album Love, Life and Loyalty.



Wayne Baker Brooks, son of the legendary bluesman Lonnie Brooks, has been steeped in the blues all his life. Although he was raised by his famous father, he is self-taught and has been blazing his own musical trail. In 1998, he co-authored the book, Blues For Dummies with his father, rocker Cub Koda and Dan Aykroyd. In 2003 Brooks started his own label, Blues Island Records. His first release was the four-star "Mystery."


For inquiries and interviews, contact: Blues Island Records at (773) 336-2589, publicity@bluesislandrecords.com, and Lynn Orman at (847) 452-6469.


To learn more about Wayne Baker Brooks go to:



www.waynebakerbrooks.com

www.myspace.com/waynebakerbrooksmusic


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