Karen Brooks (singer)

Last updated
Karen Brooks
Born (1954-04-30) April 30, 1954 (age 69)
Origin Dallas, Texas, United States
Genres Country
Occupation(s)singer
Instrument(s) Vocals
Years active1982–1992
Labels Warner
Mercury

Karen Brooks (born April 30, 1954) is an American country music singer and songwriter who is best known for a series of singles recorded by Emmylou Harris, Rosanne Cash, Patty Loveless, Tanya Tucker, Russell Smith, David Allen Coe, Crystal Gayle and Exile. She won a Grammy for her contribution to the soundtrack for the Sesame Street movie Follow That Bird. She sang a duet with Johnny Cash, "I Will Dance With You", and also with T. G. Sheppard, "Faking Love", which was a number one hit on the Billboard country chart in February 1983. She also had a number of top 40 songs as a recording artist on Warner Records.

Contents

Brooks was born in Dallas, Texas, United States. She attended Justin F. Kimball High School with schoolmate Stevie Ray Vaughan (Class of '72). She was formerly married to Gary P. Nunn, with whom she had one child, a son, Lukin Tolliver Nunn. Her mother, Lynn Brooks, was a make-up artist in the motion-picture industry. During the latter half of the 1970s and the early half of the 1980s, she lent her vocals to recordings by Jerry Jeff Walker, David Allan Coe, Steven Fromholz, Gary P. Nunn, Townes Van Zandt, Anne Murray and Emmylou Harris. [1]

She remained a popular background singer for much of the late 1970s. She then headed to California to work alongside Rodney Crowell, where she eventually picked up a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records. Both "New Way Out" and "Faking Love" hit the Top 20 of Billboard.

Discography

Albums

YearAlbumPeak positionsLabel
US Country
[2]
CAN Country
[3]
1982Walk On38Warner
1984Hearts on Fire4021
1985I Will Dance with You
1992That's Another Story(with Randy Sharp)Mercury
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles

YearSinglePeak positionsAlbum
US Country
[4]
CAN Country
[5]
1982"New Way Out"17Walk On
"Faking Love" (with T.G. Sheppard)11Perfect Stranger
1983"If That's What You're Thinking"21Walk On
"Walk On"30
1984"Born to Love You"40Hearts on Fire
"Tonight I'm Here with Someone Else"1914
1985"A Simple I Love You"63
"I Will Dance with You" (with Johnny Cash)45I Will Dance with You
1992"Baby I'm the One" (with Randy Sharp) [6] That's Another Story
"That's Another Story" (with Randy Sharp) [7]
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Awards and nominations

YearOrganizationAwardNominee/WorkResult
1983 Academy of Country Music Awards Top New Female Vocalist Karen BrooksWon
1984Top Vocal Duo of the Year T.G. Sheppard and Karen BrooksNominated
1986 Grammy Awards Best Children's Music Album Follow That Bird: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Won

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References

  1. Karen Brooks AllMusic ; retrieved 6-6-08
  2. "Karen Brooks - Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  3. "Karen Brooks - Country Albums/CDs". RPM . 17 July 2013. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  4. "Karen Brooks - Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  5. "Karen Brooks - Country Singles". RPM. 17 July 2013. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  6. "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard . May 30, 1992.
  7. "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard . November 7, 1992.