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.

     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!

"I Will Go On" Song Speaks of Overcoming

As you arrive on this site today, you will notice I am playing a song not on the recently released Curtain Call CD.  It is a song entitled, "I Will Go On" and was the title cut on my second album, released in 2006, named after this song.  


I Will Go On is a song which I wrote after being diagnosed with an Atypical Parkinsonian Disorder.  I wrote this song to say, "Though I am going through changes and challenges that are difficult for me, I am going to keep moving forward through faith and carry on with life, including my music."


I was forced to retire from my career as an administrator in the public schools and I no longer am able to drive.  Yet there is much to continue with in life, and in the last year, I published a book, called, I Will Go On: Living with a Movement Disorder.


If you are interested in the album, I Will Go On, you can find it by clicking the link on the left for the CD Baby site.  Also, the book has a link in the column to the left, as well.  Or you can just go to Amazon.com and search for Dr. Daniel Brooks or the book's title.


Thanks for stopping by to learn about my music!

Dan Brooks' Early Career Chronicled on Old Website

Crazier things have happened, but I just stumbled onto my original website that was built by my son, Mark, the drummer and record producer, when he was in high school. It has been on the missing list for all these years-- nine to be exact-- when Mark was 15! He got an early start on web design, well before the market was full of such professionals.

It is fairly interesting to look at as it details my life musically and shows where I was in 2000, before this neurological disease struck my life. Today, it is quite a struggle to do what once came so easily. Oh, I can still sing and play, but the energy and the clarity of my voice and the stiffness and slowness in my body have changed what was once a joy and a free flowing gift!

Please visit if you would enjoy doing so! Click the bold, underlined letters on the next line...

Dan Brooks' Early Website

The image at the top of this entry is my original used for promoting events at which I would perform.




The image immediately above this line is from my career some 10 years ago, when I was probably beginning to see early signs of parkinsonism. -- Dan






Below is a photo taken in 1999 of my son, Daniel, lead guitarist, and myself, performing together live at a coffeehouse venue in the Riverside area.  Daniel, Jr. was 17 years old.

Help Dan's Ministry by Downloading THE LETTER

Did you know that you don't have to purchase an album to get a copy of a song or songs that you want to hear? You can download my songs for $.99 and I am going to ask you to participate in a campaign to promote a song from the album "Curtain Call."


Would you help? I would like to get a song going on the internet so that I might expand my audience and the possible influence my song, "The Letter," might have as a ministry to others.


Please go to: CDBaby Dan Brooks'Song


When you arrive please purchase a download of a single song entitled, "The Letter." By buying the download, you will help spread my music further through the internet. Would you upload it to your iPod or MP3 player? Would you consider putting it on your blog or website to be heard by others?


Your support is greatly appreciated. I want to be able to help more people through the message and music in my songs. By purchasing a download, you will help me spread my message around the globe. Of course, you are welcome to download a different song, but I am trying to concentrate this effort on one in order to spread my music in a concentrated way across the internet. 



Thank you friends! -- Dan

Dan Brooks' Songs Lyrics and Chords

I am going to be posting the songs from my latest CD.  I will put both the words and the chords on this site.  You are free to print these, share them or play them.  I am encouraging the use of the songs for the purpose of glorifying God and encouraging others in faith.

(Words and Music © Copyright 2009 Dan Ryan Brooks Music, BMI)



I will post the songs below:

His Place

A song for corporate worship

Words and Music by Dan Brooks

© 2009 Dan Ryan Brooks Music, BMI 

C                G                         

I see your face

Am             Em

Full of his grace

              F        C           G

You’re falling on your knees

C         

His strong desire

                        Em

To bring new fire

              Dm       Dm7      Gsus

In your heart to take his place!

Chorus  

C                      Em           Dm               G

His place, his place, his place in my heart

C                      Em                   Dm                  G                        C

His grace, his grace, in his grace we now start---  (2^nd time):  To live.

                     E                    E7

Though we never know the truth

            Am            F 

He’ll reveal in us today

        Dm                   Dm7                  Gsus  

Just bow down and turn to him and say--- (1^st time):  Return to “His Place…" and end on “to live.”

Sing all above again, then go to “bridge”

Bridge

Am                                                       F

We can’t be sure of how he’ll work today

Am                                                F        Gsus

All we are asked to do is (build) trust and pray----   (to tag)

Tag

C                          Em               Dm           G

Your place, your place, your place in my heart,

            C               Em                 Dm           G         C

Your grace, your grace, in your grace I now start, to live.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Through Your Eyes

Words and Music by Dan Brooks

© 2009 Dan Ryan Brooks Music, BMI 

CAPO 2^nd Fret – INTRO:  C //// //// F//// ////  C //// //// F //// Gsus// G//

Verse 1:

C                                                         F

I'm sitting here wondering what to say
Em                                                     F
I'm sitting here wondering what to do
F                           Adim*   C           E7     Am
Knowing that my words, just won't be enough

      Dm7     Fmaj7/D Gsus - G

To tell you, all you mean to me.

Verse 2:

C                                                 F

I've watched the world as it changes
Em                                                           F
This isn't really some place I want to be
F                           Adim     C              E7     Am
When the time arrives, it just won't be enough

      Dm7    Fmaj7/D                     Gsus - G

To hold me, the way you've held on to me.

Pre- Chorus:
C      F       C

I'll follow you. 

                           Em                          C

You know the times we're going through
 F                    G           C            E7       Am
I could never see, the way you do for me. 

Dm                       Dm7        G                 C

I want to see the world through your eyes.

Chorus:

                           Em                           C
Through your eyes, through your eyes
                Em                            C
See the world through my disguise
F                      G           C          E7        Am
I could never see, the way you do for me. 

Dm                        Dm7     G                C

I want to see the world through your eyes.

Sing Verse 2

Verse 3

C                                                                F

I've heard the wind blow through the trees.
Em                                                          F
I've seen the soldiers down on their knees.
F                    Adim   C           E7     Am
Every time I cry, I pray for their relief!
                        Dm7               Fmaj7/D               Gsus - G
That you will hold them, the way you've held on to me.

Repeat Chorus

Bridge:

Dm                       Em7                    F                      E7

Looking at the hatred, and the  hunger and the WARS!

F

You’ve got to help me see

Dm

My eyes are blinding me

F                              G                               C / / / /  F / / / / Em / / / / F / / / /

I want to see the world, through your eyes!

Repeat Chorus

Tag

I want to see the world, through your eyes

Ending

C              F                C                F              Fm             G             C

*Play "Adim" (A-diminished) chord  XX1212  on the e-a-d-g-b-e  strings (from low to high)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How to Forgive

Words and Music by Dan Brooks

© 2009 Dan Ryan Brooks Music, BMI 

Verse 1

D                     D/C#  G               Em          A

I can see your face again, when I close my eyes

D                       D/C#  G             Em          A

I can feel your touch again, as the train rolls by

Bm                               A                                       D                       G

All I know is when the cold winds blow, that you won’t be coming back           

Bm                                       A                 D                   G

Never said what I wanted to say cause of all the things I lack

Chorus

        Em      G                          D

And you, showed me how to live         

Em –G                           D

And Taught me how to give     

Em- G                    Bm

Brought me to the place

           A                           D

Where I learned how to forgive.

Verse2

D                      D/C#    G              Em          A

I can hear your voice again, when I call your name

D                      D/C#     G           Em           A

Then I always feel the same, that I felt back then

Bm                                                A                            D             G

You said so many things that I needed to know, that I never will forget

Bm                                     A                                D                      G

You built your house using nails and wood, in my heart this fire was lit

Repeat Chorus

Bridge

    C                  G        D

I can hear the rolling thunder                            

    C                 G                D

I can force the pain down under

Bm            Em      A

Under my soul…

Verse 1, Repeat Chorus

          Em    G                     Bm                    A                     D

Tag: And brought me to the place, where I learned how to forgive.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

One More Curtain Call

Words and Music by Dan Brooks

© 2009 Dan Ryan Brooks Music, BMI 

                           D                     A

Verse 1:           Here is my last song

                                G                             D
                         I’ve sung it my whole life long

                             Bm                     E7                       A
                        Wanting to say just how much I thank you—

                        D                      A
                         I can’t really say it

                             G                          D
                        So I’ll just play it for you

                            Bm                       E7                    A
                       ‘Cause it’s with my guitar that I can say—

                        G                           D

Chorus A:     This is my curtain call

                                F#                  Bm
                       When I will give it my all

                              Em              E7                           A 
                        It’s out on this stage, I give you my best—

                        G                                      D
                        I’m wanting to show you now

                         F#m           Bm  A    G          Em
                        But I won’t take my bow for you

                               Em                  E7                          A
                        To praise you and thank you is all I can do

                        Em                          A                 D
                        I’ll play one more curtain call for you.

                        D                                    A

Verse 2:           Living my whole life through

                              G                                D
                        It’s when I am singing for you

                        Bm                                   E7                         A     
                        That’s when I have known, your purpose for me—

                        D                                   A
                        Now that I’ve seen the stage

                          G                                       D
                        Seen the lights glimmer and fade

                        Bm                        E7                 A
                        I just want to say it’s all been for you—

Repeat Chorus A

                        D                                    A

Verse 3:          Out on that high school stage

                        G                                              D

                        Is when I started singing your praise

                        Bm                          E7                                   A

                        It’s then that I knew, the applause weren’t for me—

                        D                                            A

                        Since then I’ve lived out my dreams

                         G                                        D
                        Walking through memory stream   
                        Bm                                                     E7                A                                 
                        I’ve seen just how close to your heart I can be—

                        G                          D

Chorus B:      This is my curtain call

                        F#                             Bm

                        When I will give it my all

                        Em                   E7                           A   

                        It’s out on this stage, I give you my best

                        G                                     D

                        I’m wanting to show you now

                        F#m            Bm A  G          Em

                        But I won’t take a bow for you

                          Em                     E7                             A     

                        To praise you and thank you is all I can do—

                        G                          D

                        This is my curtain call

                        F#                             Bm

                        When I will give it my all

                        Em                E7                              A   

                        It’s out on this stage, I give you my best

                        G                                     D

                        I’m wanting to show you now

                        F#m            Bm A G          Em

                        But I won’t take a bow for you

                        Em                        E7                            A   

                        To praise you and thank you is all I can do—

                              Em                    A                 Bm  -- E7

Tag:                 I’ll play one more curtain call for you

                          Em                           A                          D
                         I'll play one more curtain call for you.