KATIE BROOKS
After founding member Katie Brooks finished touring with RC 5, she created her own show and traveled the country performing in VA Medical Centers. This extension of the mission was distinct. “The Katie Brooks Show” featured a live band with talented industry professionals who joined Katie on stage to delight and engage the veterans. Katie was…and still is…a dynamic singer-songwriter and a performing dynamo! The vets drank in her energy, spirit and most of all, sincerity! She spent countless hours visiting with the veterans on their wards, in their rooms and at their bedsides.
The numerous letters of appreciation from Veterans Homes and Hospitals attest to the therapeutic impact of “The Katie Brooks Show!”
Katie has continued her platform in service to America’s Veterans by serving as emcee for the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival and touring with her father, Hugh, and “The Singing Colonels,” charming veterans in facilities all over the nation!
“At the top left of this page is a picture of me with Vietnam Veteran CPT Joseph Lyttle, Jr.
As I recall… In 1968, CPT Lyttle survived a helicopter crash in Vietnam only to be left on the ground for 3 days before a brave rescue saved his life. His combat injuries caused him to live the rest of his life in a wheelchair as a paraplegic. For his meritorious service, CPT Lyttle received The Silver Star, The Bronze Star, The Air Medal, and The Purple Heart.
I met CPT Lyttle during one of my first years with Re-Creation. While he was not actually hospitalized when we met, Joe was working with hospitalized Veterans and others who were passing through a physical rehabilitation center where he was the Director of Recreation and where Re-Creation entertained.
That’s one amazing story of the thousands of stories of our Veterans that I’ve had the privilege to learn and appreciate because of Re-Creation’s commitment to our institutionalized Veterans. I’ve had the honor of hearing those stories directly from the Service Members who lived them and of giving them a personal word of thanks on behalf of myself, my family, and all those who support Re-Creation’s work.
It takes all of that and the personal commitment of Directors like my parents, Hugh and Carolyn Brooks, and current Directors Jay and Mary Muller, along with the inspired staff that has joined them through the years, including Joani Patterson (with special help from her husband, Sam) who was there for my tenure with Re-Creation and who managed all the scheduling that allowed my show to travel and work in these important institutions.
And, of course, it takes every entertainer who comes through the cast of Re-Creation, and the musicians who came through my band, with hearts and talents dedicated to this work.
I don’t know a single one of them who wasn’t changed, from the heart out, by their time with the group. Including me.
I have always felt that the honor was all mine. I still do. My parents taught me that – along with the service of my husband, Col. Chris Clayton, USMC Ret., my brother, COL David Brooks US Army Ret., my nephew, CPT Zachary Brooks, US Army Ret., and my late father-in-law, CWO4 Larry Clayton, US Army, Ret., and all of my time involved with Re-Creation and its very special ministry. I am grateful for my continued experience with Re-Creation.
CPT Lyttle and his wife Nancy became lifelong friends of mine. He passed away in December of 2004 and was buried with full military honors.
His service, and the commitment of his wife and family to that service, continue to inspire…”
KATIE BROOKS CLAYTON | RC 1 – 5 | The Katie Brooks Show. Katie Brooks and Freedom, NVCAF Emcee, Singer-Songwriter
THE SINGING COLONELS
Mr. Brooks gathered his college quartet to sing on seven, yes, seven tours through Veterans Homes and Hospitals. The quartet was formed at Eastern Kentucky State University in 1951. The Singing Colonels were a smash hit in all the facilities. The Veterans enjoyed the music, comedy and camaraderie. The vintage singers were Bill Vendl (Class of 1953), Hugh Brooks (Class of 1954), Dave Caylor (class of 1955),and Jim Winn (Class of 1955) and Jess Reed (Class of 1954) who provided technical assistance during the college years. Vendl, Caylor, Winn, Chilton, and Reed were veterans with a combined 65 years of military service. Brooks worked with hospitalized veterans for more than 30 years.These four men delighted the veterans with their renditions of great American music-themed “Moments To Remember”-and presented a variety of styles. Moreover,”The Singing Colonels”will honored our veterans and troops with historical presentations highlighting key points from America’s various endeavors.The veterans loved this unique program. The age of the performers, their service to America in almost every branch of service, and their genuine love for America and her heroes encouraged and uplifted the residents, staff and visitors. Mr. Brooks designed the show, Mrs. Brooks helped on sound when RC Alums Billy Habecker and Sarah Daugherty were not able to tour.
Katie Brooks and John Wilson joined the tour as special guests, and eventually full-time performers! What a wonderful family affair as Katie traveled with her mom and dad, and the spouses of the Colonels joined in on tours!
“IN REMEMBRANCE of ME” | “LYRIC” | “LEGACY” | “GOD WILL SEE YOU THROUGH”
“In Remembrance of Me” Dr. Brooks’s dissertation on the events and impact of the 40 last days of Jesus’ earthly ministry was turned into a devotional. This easy-to-read, inspiring tome was gifted to every Re-Creation F.O.R-C.E.S. member and indeed, to all supporters who wished to follow, dramatically, Jesus’s steps. We are pleased to offer this book to you here, in PDF form for your Lenten study for many years to come!
“Lyric and Legacy” In 1998, we had surprised Mr. Brooks with a collection called “Lyric.” That presentation, made in Nashville, took Mr. B completely by surprise. Alumni had come back into the studio to capture new versions of some of his best songs. Katie even recorded a new solo-version of “Come on Down to the River.” That collection also featured the first and only collaboration in writing between Mr. Brooks and Mary Muller…”Bartimaeus.” The recording and compiling of this living legacy impacted all of us greatly.
from Hugh’s writing partner, David Kazee..
“Hugh,What a privilege and honor it has been and continues to be to work and serve with you through these countless musical and life projects! Your vision, creativity and ability to communicate through words and music has been a source of amazement for me. I have watched closely as we have persevered on these and many other songs and have garnered an education I would have never dreamed just watching you work. All the late nights and long days of rewrites, drafts and changes in the arrangements and howyou parlay your vision into something tangible for people to comprehend has profoundly influenced me.If folks could only see the early drafts of songs you have thrown away…! You possess a unique ability to have people understand simple things on a deeper scale (“Ya’ Gotta Be Born Again”), then make more complicated issues seem simple and clear (“Right Under Jesus”). I remember the tears in my eyes when you first showed me the beginning draft of “Lazarus.” Your love of God is evident in everything you do and your commitment to His service is influential to everyone around you.I see your vast knowledge of the Bible and what the Lord has to say and am astounded at how you communicate that knowledge.Thank you for including me. You have graciously given me far too much credit for our endeavors together over the years. I am not nearly an equal…I have just merely been trying to keep up. I love you.”
Later, Mr. Muller wanted to create a complete collection of every song Dr. Brooks had ever written for Re-Creation. “Legacy” was a compilation composed of cuts from “Lyric” and brand new renditions. The 3-CD collection is a must-have for every Re-Creation enthusiast. Mr. Muller also asked Dr. Brooks to recollect the thoughts, stories and anecdotes behind each song so listeners would have an inside peek to the processes and inspiration so this most talented, skillful writer.
This collection features the quintessential version of “Thunder and Lightning” and “Everlasting Song” with tracks featuring the Nashville Strings!
The PDF of the book is here for you to enjoy as well, as you listen to literal Re-Creation history!
Also…in 2022, Katie added her unique and vibrant animation to Hugh’s Re-Creation Classic “God Will See You Through”. In RC 47, we were able to perform the song, with animation, a number of times on the road, most memorably, as a surprise to Hugh himself on his 90’th birthday at his home in Lazy River, FL. We include the song here with solos by Judy Fitch, Linda Smith, Brenda Neiman Hartman and Rachel Plakos Stoddard.
Enjoy all these marvelous projects!
And we’re so grateful to Xavier Francis (RC 17, 20) fore his expertise in remastering this exclusive collection! Xavier was Re-Creation’s executive engineer from RC 37 through RC 48 and is responsible for the amazing sound and video projects of those groups!