Ronnie Baker Brooks’ deep connection to the blues runs through every note he plays, a bond he shares with his father, the legendary Lonnie Brooks. Growing up in the heart of Chicago’s blues scene, Ronnie was surrounded by icons such as B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, Albert King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, and Otis Rush. These blues giants didn’t just influence his music—they imparted life lessons that shaped his entire outlook.
“I’m not name dropping,” Ronnie clarifies. “I’m just holding them up!”
Blues in My DNA is Ronnie’s fifth solo album and his first with Alligator Records, the label that was home to his father for many years. The album showcases a powerful blend of hard-hitting rock, soulful blues, and sharp, intricate guitar work that highlights Brooks’ cutting leads and defining riffs.
With this release, Ronnie asserts his place within the Chicago blues tradition. The album cover features him standing along the city’s waterfront, mirroring a pose his father struck for the cover of Bayou Lightning in 1979. Adding a personal touch, Ronnie holds the same 1967 Gibson SG electric guitar his father used for that iconic image.
“This is the first guitar my father bought me when I was seven years old,” Ronnie recalls. “He played this guitar on several of his early Alligator recordings.”
Ronnie’s journey with music began early, learning guitar from his father at age six. Though he briefly focused on basketball as a teenager, his return to the guitar came at 18 when he worked as his father’s roadie. It was during this time that he had a transformative experience at a live show.
“Lonnie and Albert [Collins] were vibing hard in this incredible jam in front of a packed house,” Ronnie remembers. “I’m standing on the side of the stage, and the hair on my arms stood up and I got goosebumps! My dad and Albert were on fire. I thought I saw fireworks coming from their guitars, and at that moment I knew I wanted to play the blues.”
He likens the moment to the “I’ve seen the light” church scene from The Blues Brothers, where he promised to dedicate his life to music, should God keep him healthy. That pivotal night marked the beginning of his blues career, one that he has been fortunate enough to follow ever since.
Ronnie and his brother Wayne both followed in their father’s footsteps, playing in Lonnie’s band before launching their solo careers. Despite this, their father never pressured them into music, always encouraging them to pursue their true passions.
“When I decided to quit music to play basketball, my father would gig all night Friday, then get up Saturday morning to take me to my basketball game, sit there and watch me play, take me to lunch after the game, then go home and rest up for his gig later that night!” Ronnie says. “I didn’t even know I broke his heart until he told me years later when he knew I was serious about playing music again.”
The title track of Blues in My DNA begins with a voice recording of Lonnie Brooks offering his blessing, saying, “I give you my blessing to keep these blues alive.” Ronnie then follows with a heavy, soulful riff that delves into his own life story, touching on family, poverty, racism, and the perseverance needed to push through.
“Like I sing in the song, I’m not complaining, just explaining!” Ronnie states. “I’m just trying to tell my story and stay authentic to the blues.”
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