Brooke Blackburn plays guitar like it’s a conversation with the past — equal parts smoky backroom blues, front-porch country soul, and late-night rock ’n’ roll swagger. Raised on a steady diet of vinyl crackle and road stories, Brooke cut his teeth in dimly lit bars with his dad and brothers where the amps hummed and the crowd leaned in close. There’s an old-school cool to his style — think worn leather, tube amps, and solos that say more than lyrics ever could. Whether with his band or stealing the spotlight with a stripped-down riff, Brooke brings a timeless energy that feels both nostalgic and freshly alive, like you’ve just stumbled into the best set of the night. I caught up with Brooke in advance of his May 9 show with the Blackburn Brothers blackburnbrothersmusic.com as part of the Blues at The Cove Series.
If your guitar could talk, what would it admit?
Brooke Blackburn: If my guitar could speak, it would probably say we’ve written songs together. We’ve made some people’s days a little better. We try to play with soul and tell a different story every night we play together.
What’s your “desert island” record — the one you’d spin until the grooves wore out?
I think my desert island album would have been Gratitude by Earth, Wind & Fire when I was younger. Now, it would be the The Best of Bill Withers.
You walk into a dive bar and hear a band covering a classic — what song instantly tells you, “Alright, these folks get it”?
I believe that we can only respectfully honour our musical training by playing someone’s music in our own way. Blackburn Brothers cover a few musical geniuses like Bill Withers, BB King and Marvin Gaye. If I saw a band playing their own version of That’s the Way of the World by Earth, Wind & Fire, Grandma’s Hands by Bill Withers or Why I Sing the Blues by B.B. King, I would think that would be a band I would like to stay and watch.
What’s the most gloriously imperfect, raw moment you’ve ever had on stage that turned into magic?
Most evenings playing with my Brothers are the most perfectly imperfect moments — that’s what makes them spontaneous. There are many songs we’ve played together for years and every night they feel like we have played them like a band jamming together for the first time with the knowledge that everyone knows the song.
If you could jam with any legend, no rehearsal, just plug in and go — who’s on stage with you and what’s the first song you kick into?
That’s an interesting question. I’m very fortunate in my life to be able to play with family and friends. We have such talented musicians in Canada, so I am blessed to be able to play with who I play with. I’ve always learned off of George Benson, Wes Montgomery, and the man whose rhythm is endless — the genius Cornell Dupree. To play pre-posthumously with Cornell would have been an amazing thing. Everyday I get a chance to play and create with my Canadian friends and family. I am more fortunate than I could ever imagine!
Before they head out on their summer European tour, catch the Blackburn Brothers for a rare local show as part of the Blues at The Cove Series on Saturday, May 9! Call 273–3636 for tickets.