Photos by Rachel Norris

Playing My Ovation Al Di Meola Custom Legend.

Playing the Blues.

Song from Curtain Call on Radio This Morning!

A dear friend I call "Ru" was inspired to share my music on the radio in Alabama.  Her husband, Glenn, suffered with a Parkinson's Plus condition called, PSP, and went to be with the Lord earlier this year.  She requested that they begin to play my music on the station and today, the first week after her request, she heard my song, "The Letter" from the "Curtain Call" CD on the air at radio station (WAMI). The disc jockey named Don played my song and shared with the listeners who I was and informed the audience that information about my music could be gained by contacting the station, which is in Alabama. The name of the program is the "Good Time Gospel Hour."  The D.J., Don, commented that the guitar playing was good, for which I humbly thank him. The song itself means a great deal to me, and I hope you will give it a listen here on my CD Baby page which has samples of all the songs: Curtain Call on CD Baby.

Don mentioned my illness and my  book, I Will Go On: Living with a Movement Disorder. Don also said, "If you want more information on Dan Ryan Brooks, contact the station."  My friend, Ru,  had asked him to dedicate whatever he selected to Glenn's memory since the illnesses were so similar.  Others in Ru's family and the community are going to start calling and requesting the songs from Curtain Call.  How exciting!  I am very grateful for my dear friend and her support.  It goes beyond words!

Father's Day Song

This is from my second album, I WILL GO ON. It is a song about my own father and all he did for our family. It is entitled, "Praying for You Dad." -- Dan

My Story Found in Book I Authored

In addition to my albums, I have written and published an autobiographical book, entitled, I WILL GO ON: LIVING WITH A MOVEMENT DISORDER.  This book was published on BookSurge in March of 2009 and has sold hundreds of copies.  It is available on Amazon.com.


In this book, I write about my earlier years as a husband, father, musician and school administrator.  My life was interrupted and changed by a progressive neurological illness involving an abnormal movement disorder similar to Parkinson's Disease.  In the book I explain this disease and similar diseases with clear, descriptive language that will help educate the reader.  Also, I devote much of the book discussing the implications of such a debilitating disease on one's spiritual and emotional outlook.  I explore how to answer the question of "Why would God allows this to happen?" and how I am able to go on in life through faith and a positive outlook.


If you would like to read and understand Parkinson's Plus, Parkinson's Disease or hear about my own spiritual journey as an educator and a song writer, this book would be for you.


Thank you for visiting and let me know if you have any questions.  -- Dan

Biographical Information on the Artist

Dan started playing the guitar at age seven, and by the time he was in high school was a developing performer, who was known for impressions of Elvis and the Bee Gees. Shortly after high school, Dan began writing and singing Contemporary Christian music in churches, at youth camps, wedding ceremonies and banquets. Dan opened for Parable, Children of the Day, Chuck Smith and Darrell Mansfield on various occasions in the seventies.Dan has staged a number of his own concerts, drawing hundreds of people in the local area in which he grew up. During the seventies, he played in a Christian Rock band called "Changing Heart," with Guitarist/Banjo player John Moffett and Bassist/Singer Dale Samuelson.

     On several dates during the same time period he appeared on Trinity Broadcasting Network's "Kids Praise the Lord" and has had his music played on radio on a number of occasions. Dan recorded, “A Long Time Comin’”, which was released as an independent album on Filadelfia Records in 1995.

     While raising a family and working as a school principal, he continued performing and leading music in the church and school settings. In 2005, Dan developed a neuro-degenerative disease called Parkinson’s Plus, because it involved both Parkinson’s Disease symptoms, plus other brain related symptoms.

     On his 2006 album entitled “I Will Go On” Dan demonstrated his guitar, vocal and song-writing talents, coming together on a nine song collection. This CD was released in the spring of 2006, and includes more of Dan’s original songs, such as “I Will Go On” written about his fight to overcome the difficulties caused by his neurological condition.

     Dan released a new CD, called CURTAIN CALL, on November 7, 2009.  This album contains 12 tracks of acoustic rock, Christian songs.  It is available through CD Baby, iTunes, Digstation and IndieRhythm (see links in the left column).  On this site there is a song player containing songs from all three albums.  Recently added are: A Long Time Comin', a rock-a-billy song from Dan's first 1995 Album of the same title, and If Ever, Lord and How to Forgive from "Curtain Call," the newest CD.  Thanks for stopping by!-- Dan Brooks

At NAMM Show Guitar Exhibits

Here I am having a great time.  I stopped to enter a contest for a free guitar.  I am on my scooter.  I don't know how Karrie stayed on her feet all day!  Sure was great fun, though. 

Dan's Day at National Reso-Phonic Exhibit at NAMM Convention

My wonderful wife took me and my mobility scooter yesterday to the famous NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA.  My cousin, Don Young, is the founder and President of National Reso-phonic Guitars and arranged for us to have guest passes.  It was a guitar player's dream-- to see so many beautiful instruments and to sit and chat with some of the great guitar players of the world.  We were able to see these guys playing the various instruments Don's company builds and they are simply wonderful Reso-phonic instruments.  To visit the site for National Reso-phonic, go to this link:  

http://www.nationalguitars.com/


You may realize that my brother, Matt Brooks, played slide guitar on the song, "The Reason" from my CD, "Curtain Call."  The guitar he played is my own National Reso-Phonic M-2 model, which was among the instruments Don had on display at the big show in Anaheim.


Here are a few photos of the display and people we interacted with at the NAMM Show.

Pictured: (Top to Bottom) Professional players jam; Hillary Young and my wife, Karrie; Another pic of guitar greats playing together; Renowned guitarist and I meet (I had the pleasure of jamming a few minutes with this fine musician); Don Young meets a visitor at his NAMM exhibit. 



I am so thankful to Don Young for making such a special day happen for Karrie and me.  It was a guitar wonder world!  


Here is a video with several Pictures of Don Young at his shop in SLO, CA.  Don has the train conductor hat on.  Be sure to hit the pause button on my Reverbnation song player on the left before you start it.  Enjoy!