MEREDITH BROOKS
She has shared the top ten chart with Bono, toured with Mick Jagger and has been a label-mate of Paul McCartney's... but the person who has made the biggest impact in Meredith Brooks' music is less than 2 years old...
The artist who electrified the world and established herself as an undeniable creative force in a generation of female rockers with her multi-platinum disc "Blurring the Edges" and it's worldwide hit single "Bitch" in 1997 became a mother in 2004. Motivated by the birth of her son, Meredith has focused her imaginative energy and passion towards the writing and recording of a children's record, "If I Could Be..." "It's funny how trying to be the best mom I can be and feeling so happy about it has produced the most inspired music of my whole career." says Brooks.
Before Meredith's son was born, Meredith had already risen to heights most artists only dream of. Once "Bitch" and her subsequent Top Ten single "What Would Happen" launched Brooks to superstardom, she began touring the world extensively. Brooks performed as a featured artist on each of the Lilith Fair Tours. She appeared multiple times on TV shows such as The Tonight Show, Conan O'Brien, Rosie O'Donnell, The View, Regis & Kelly, Dr. Phil Show and VH1 Divas to name a few.
While on tour, Meredith found a unique way to "give back," creating Anybody's Mentoring Program (AMP). On various tour stops from 1997 through 2002 (approximately 70 cities in all), Brooks would arrange to speak with crowds of high school students about making it in both the music industry and in life. She performed her music, but the focus was on relating her experiences and stirring others to work hard to achieve their goals. "It was great committing to this kind of community service," she says. "There was something magical about taking the focus off myself and sharing the realities of the business and what it takes to succeed." Meredith was honored in 2000 by an invitation to speak in Washington DC at a congressional breakfast about her mentoring program, AMP, and the important positive place that art has in children's educational programs.
Between recording albums, the twice Grammy-nominated Brooks has become a first call record producer and has developed her own production company, Kissing Booth Music. Meredith produced Jennifer Love Hewitt's breakthrough project "Barenaked", whose title song was one of 2002's most memorable hits. In 2003 she co-wrote and produced for Hilary Duff's mult-platinum album, "Metamorphosis". The first artist signed exclusively to Kissing Booth is 16 year-old rock sensation, Bec Hollcraft. Meredith and Bec are currently in the midst of recording Bec's debut album.
In 2004, Meredith's inspirational title track from her album, "Shine" was chosen by popular TV therapist, Dr. Phil for a series of on-air TV Spots and as the anthem for the show's new season. The song was chosen by Dr. McGraw from among hundreds of submissions because it fit the forward thinking, triumph over adversity philosophy of the show. As Dr. Phil put it: "The split second I heard it, I said, 'That's it, that's the song we want to be the anthem for the show this year.'" The song's message also reflects Brooks' attitude towards her own survival in the music industry. It was just after "Shine" was picked up that Meredith's son Troy was born, an event that Dr. Phil and his wife, Robin, feted at their home, along with Entertainment Tonight and In Style magazine.
Today, Meredith's latest effort, "If I Could Be..." captures the electricity and magic of all that has happened for Meredith since 2004, with the same song writing proficiency of her past releases. The difference is that this album is written for young children as well as their parents. It explores all the magic observed within the everyday events in childhood. "From day one of Troy's life, beautiful melodies would pop into my head and I'd start singing them to him, --funny songs too, -- songs about what I imagined he was thinking," says Brooks. "If I Could Be..." is the perfect album for children and parents to enjoy together. This album is what a children's album should be pure fun. Brooks says, "Making this record has been so effortless and enjoyable. This has been the best writing and recording experience of my entire life."
