Rachel Brooke Hits The Road
Rachel Brooke isn’t just a musician, she’s a muse.
If she was an illustration, it would be an old one, from the 1920’s with tattered edges. Rachel would be sitting on a high cliff overlooking the sea like a Greek Siren, and ships full of suitors would be trying unsuccessfully to approach her position. The waves would come in, dashing the ships on the rocks and drowning the suitors, all while Rachel watched with countenance somewhere between tad interest and sheer boredom.
And yes, I would be one of those fool-hearty, ill-fated suitors.
The fact that Rachel Brooke is physically alluring and enigmatic, talented beyond all, and skilled as a musician with the best, is somewhere between wrong and downright evil. I mean seriously, somebody with her talents should at least be ugly, it’s only fair.
But for the years I’ve been following her (not stalking, I promise occifer), I’ve been waiting for her to make a big move. Last year she teamed up with Lonesome Wyatt of Those Poor Bastards for A Bitter Harvest album and a subsequent tour. But it always seems like Rachel is playing second fiddle. I keep waiting for that big release, the big tour, a big announcement that really puts her in her rightful place among the underground country elite, of which in my opinion she belongs.
Well it may not be that big announcement, but I am happy to see a healthy lineup of tour dates upcoming for Rachel, and with some big names like Wayne “The Train” Hancock, Roger Alan Wade, and fellow Michey Ganders Whitey Morgan & The 78’s. She will also be playing a run of shows with her father, the semi-legendary Tiger Bear Jon. They will be playing under the name “The Van Guilders.” Attendees to those shows with a get a special treat of seeing Rachel Brook’s complete skill set, as she will be playing her own sad slow stuff, AND up-tempo bluegrass numbers with her banjo playing pops.
- May 16 2010 8:00P
PJ’s Lager House Honky Tonk Throwdown w/ Wayne Hancock, Whitey Morgan and the 78’s, & MORE! Detroit - Jun 5 2010 5:00P
Doughboyz Pizza and Pub w/ Roger Alan Wade, Whitey Morgan and the 78’s and MORE Ashville, Ohio - Jun 11 2010 8:00P
TBA Detroit, Michigan - Jun 12 2010 8:00P
Pint and Slice w/ The Van Guilders Ft. Wayne, Indiana - Jun 13 2010 8:00P
The Still w/ The Van Guilders, and Ol Red Shed New Berlin, Illinois - Jun 14 2010 8:00P
Kix Club, w/ The Van Guilders Quincy, Illinois - Jun 15 2010 8:00P
TBA W/ the Van Guilders TBA, Missouri - Jun 16 2010 8:00P
Mardi Krawlers w/ The Van Guilders and Typsy Gypsy Alton - Jun 17 2010 8:00P
Sgt. Preston’sw/ the Van Guilders and Ando from the Jolly Barrels Lafayette, Indiana - Jun 18 2010 8:00P
Tootles w/ The Van Guilders, and The Misery Jackals Circleville, Ohio - Jun 19 2010 8:00P
Annabells w/ The Van Guilders, Misery Jackals and MORE! Akron, Ohio
The Music Critic
April 24, 2010 @ 4:02 pm
Well, All i gotta say is “Well blow me down” little doggy! Ptteww! (ping) Anyways, I think POP country is way better.. Go check out Billy Ray! What about him? His music is nothing like rachel brooke! it has twang! As for fighting for real country music, bring back garth brooks! randy travis! Shinia Twain! you know?
Carla
April 24, 2010 @ 4:09 pm
I disagree Triggerman – anyone that ridiculously talented should be hideously DISFIGURED. She’s awesome. I only ever listen to three female vocalists: Patsy, Dolly and Rachel. She deserves all the success in the world. Has she released a solo album or albums? Are you able to catch any of the shows?
The Triggerman
April 24, 2010 @ 4:42 pm
Yep Carla,
Very slim, but still possible chance I will see her on the 16th with Hancock and Whitey. Better chance I’ll see her in June . Planning a roadie for one of her shows, and the Outlaw Radio Compilation Release slash .357 String Band, Bob Wayne & The Outlaw Carnies, extravaganza.
All depends on money really. Pray for rain.
Walt The TERROR
April 24, 2010 @ 5:43 pm
The music critic must have been scorned by an outlaw
The Triggerman
April 24, 2010 @ 7:07 pm
I was hoping The Music Critic was being sarcastic.
Oh and Carla, she does have a CD, and she appears in a duet with Jayke Orvis on .357’s Fire & Hail. You can get her solo CD on CD Baby. There is a link on her MySpace.
ibwip
April 25, 2010 @ 12:44 am
Rachel, as we all know, has been at the fore front of ibwip’s “obsession list” for a number of years. And most definatly one subject that Triggerman and I ALWAYS agree on. I will be heading to new Berlin to see here for a 3 time. Not only a looker she is also an amazing artist. She has a voice that will make u fall in love with the song she is singing. If u get a chance to see her live it’s a must. May I suggest as well u request that she sing “fuck and fight”. It’s amazing.
Travis
April 25, 2010 @ 6:07 am
I saw her play with Whitey Morgan for the Honky tonk heartache show in Detroit back in February. I went in to the show being a huge Whitey fan and never hearing of Rachel. And I was absolutley amazed. I loved her music, her appearance. To say the least, I was very attracted. Shes only two years older than me which I feel was the icing on the cake for me. I couldnt believe that a girl in my age group had such a talent and interest for that old sound.. I bought her cd on cdbaby.com. I was planning on seeing her play with Wayne and Whitey at the lager house in May. But I planned a trip to go to a truck show in Tennessee that weekend instead. However, I think everyone should try to make that show. It’ll be a good one im sure.. Theres a free pop country concert going on that same weekend in Detroit called the Downtown Hoedown… its been going on for almost 30 years and lots of REAL acts have played there like Waylon, Merle, and Charley Pride. BUT, Its now filled with modern pop acts. The show at the Lager house is practically the ANTI-HOEDOWN party as explained to me by Jeremy, the bass player of the 78’s at the Honky Tonk Heartache show.
AJ
April 25, 2010 @ 8:46 am
Hopefuly I’ll catch the June 18th show with the Van Guilders. Thanks for the info Triggerman.
Burch
April 25, 2010 @ 10:07 am
I still haven’t had a chance to check out any of her releases, hopefully someday I’ll be able to. I suppose there might be a chance of me catching her on this tour, have to see what the TBA in Missouri becomes.
ArkansasOutlaw
April 25, 2010 @ 4:26 pm
Triggerman when are you gonna finally ask rachel brooke to marry you? I die laughing reading your articles on her because they always turn out to be you confessing your love towards her. I didn’t know she had a cd. I’m gonna have to buy it now.
The Triggerman
April 25, 2010 @ 4:32 pm
Arkansas,
Not sure if it’s love, or a long running joke. Probably a little bit of both.
Aran Buzzas
April 25, 2010 @ 4:45 pm
Rachel Brooke is awesome! I second everything you said about her Triggerman, and I add that she is one nice lady too. Totally hooked me up with gear when she accidentally sold me the display cover of one of her CDs with no CD inside. Above and beyond if you ask me.
Maybe only one is available online, but she actually has two CDs out: “Demos” and self-titled, and they are both great. I wish she’d tour out to Montana again…
Chris kelley
May 11, 2010 @ 7:24 pm
RACHEL BROOKE RULES
kookydoright
May 20, 2010 @ 12:24 am
glad to here she’s gonna be back out on the road. it will be me, her, and that foggy windewr betweenst us again. all you unkown fans know what i mean, yeah i’m pertty sure the restraining order from that bitter harvest tour has expired. and she is gonna apreciate me bring’n her all the letters i sent but the post office returned cause they said its illegal to ship organic matter cross state lines. i saved them all for her though…..