Biography
Wayne "General Boogie" Brooks has performed in all 50 states in the U.S.A and many foreign countries playing everything from County to Jazz, from R&B to Pop, from Ragtime to Boogie and Gospel. Once you've heard his performance, you'll understand why he's called "General Boogie'. He is still, as always, in the music business!
Wayne "General Boogie" Brooks has been entertaining folks since he was five years old making the rounds of local luncheon clubs with his ragtime playing, piano man grandfather. Playing at first strictly by ear, he later had hisformal musical training while attending Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. At age eight his CD won 2nd place in the national finals of the Horace Heidt Amateur Showcase. He turned pro at fifteen and formed his first band. At seventeen he wrote and recorded "Bullwhip Rock" with his band the "Cyclones". The song charted in Billboard (at #28) and Variety (at #18) in the summer of 1958.
After working the East Texas honky tonks and nightclubs in Houston, Boogie moved on to Las Vegas, Nevada where he performed with various artists for awhile then once again formed another band. While in Nevada, he also performed in showrooms and casino lounges with Kenny Rogers, Gladys Knight, Ike and Tina Turner, B.B. King, Vicki Carr, and others. After Vegas he joined Dr. John, the "Night Tripper" for a USA and European tour. Then it was back to Texas and a country music format touring with such artists as Moe Bandy, Joe Stampley, and Johnny Lee. All in all, Boogie has logged about 30 years of travel and roadwork. He retired from the road in 1996 to join Southern Empress Cruises, Lake Conroe, Tx, where he is still performing and serves as Associate Entertainment Director.
Television credits include: The Mike Douglas Show; Merv Griffin, Dinah Shore and The Tonight Show in addition to local radio and TV shows.
