Ronnie
is the son of blues rocking, Alligator Records recording star Lonnie Brooks.
He first stepped on stage when he was nine years old, playing with Lonnie
at Pepper's Lounge in Chicago. Ronnie recalls, "Dad told me if I learned
to play 'Messin' With the Kid' and 'Reconsider Baby,' he would allow me
to perform with him on stage to celebrate my birthday." Ronnie did
learn the songs, performed with his dad, captured the audience and was bitten
by the blues bug. "That's one birthday I'll never forget!" says
Ronnie.
Ronnie joined Lonnie's band full-time in 1986 and has grown to be an accomplished
guitarist, singer and songwriter. Until he struck out as a solo artist in
January 1999, Ronnie opened his Dad's live gigs with a blistering set of
his own and closed each show playing a few acoustic numbers with Lonnie.
Ronnie made his recording debut in 1988 on Lonnie Brooks' Live From Chicago
- Bayou Lightning Strikes. Ronnie is also featured on Satisfaction Guaranteed
and the Alligator Records 20th Anniversary Tour. On that album and tour
he played with Elvin Bishop, Lil' Ed Williams, Katie Webster and Koko Taylor.
Ronnie played his first solo gig in 1992 at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage
Festival filling in for Lonnie who was ill at the time. The following night
he also soloed in Memphis while one of his idols, Albert King, watched approvingly
from backstage. "The pressure was great," Ronnie says. "I
was worried about Dad, and I knew I had big shoes to fill; but when Albert
King appeared to show his support, I knew then I was on the right track."
He made the jump to permanent solo status after a New Year's Eve gig (December
31, 1998) at Buddy Guys Legends in Chicago.
Ronnie has jammed on-stage with many blues giants such as Albert Collins,
Stevie Ray Vaughan, Luther Allison, and Buddy Guy. He has worked alongside
talented artists including Junior Wells, Eric Johnson, Jonny Lang, Slash,
Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Keb' Mo'.
" The importance of crossing cultural barriers is one of the most important
lessons I've learned," says Ronnie. "I loved playing with my Dad,
but I know I can make it on my own. I am determined to keep the family legacy,
to keep the blues alive."
The
Band:
Ronnie Baker Brooks:guitar, voice
Carlton Armstrong:
bass
Daryl
Coutts :keyboards
Maurice "Moe" Taylor:drums
Last CD: "The Torch"
Next Tour: Summer 2006
Exclusive
Tour Management
Ascoli
Piceno Italy