Meet Conner Brooke

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Conner Brooke. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Conner Brooke, thank you so much for making time for us. We’ve always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?

I wouldn’t consider myself a massive risk-taker by any means. I’m actually really bad at it and have to challenge myself in this area on a regular basis. I’m naturally a play-it-safe personality and can get caught up in the fears of failing. But life really is too short. By living your life always trying to avoid regrets, I think you end up making more regrets in the process.

I grew up a pretty nervous kid, scared to put myself out there or try anything new. In 5th grade my parents pushed me to get outside of my comfort zone and try out for the middle school musical. It was the last thing I wanted to do. What if I embarrassed myself or wound up disappointed with the outcome? But of course I ended up loving it and continued to participate in the school musicals until I graduated high school. That experience taught me so much about doing something that scares me. I would have missed out on something that brought me so much joy if I hadn’t taken that small risk.

I try to remember that now when I’m hesitant to say “yes” to trying something new just because I’m scared. I once heard author Christy Wright say “just do it scared” and I couldn’t agree more. If you wait to say “yes” until you aren’t scared anymore, you’ll wait your whole life. Don’t overthink it and talk yourself out of taking the risk by telling yourself all the reasons why it might not work. Just go with your gut, say yes, and give it all you got! The more you just practice saying “yes”, the more you prove to yourself that you can do it!

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m a songwriter and a country artist. I’ve loved to sing ever since I was a little girl. My parents tell stories of me standing on the church pews because I was too small to see over them and singing at the top of my lungs. There wasn’t a time we climbed in the car where I wasn’t asking my parents to turn on the radio. Growing up in Georgia, it was always Christian radio in my mom’s car and country in my dad’s so those are definitely my two biggest influences as a songwriter.
At 15, I sat down with my dad’s acoustic and taught myself how to play a simple Kenney Chesney song “Anything But Mine”. After that, I was hooked. I kept wanting to learn more of my favorite songs. As I got more comfortable on the guitar, I started writing my own songs and eventually recorded my first three originals shortly after graduating high school. Songwriting is anything but easy. There are so many moments I feel unqualified or that I’ve run out of good ideas. But you keep pushing and feel such a sense of accomplishment when you finish another new song. I know the emotions my favorite songs make me feel, and if I can write something that connects with someone else like that, I consider that the biggest honor. It’s one of the most beautiful things in the world to see people all singing in unison a song that resonates with each of them.

I am currently working on developing my skills as a writer and performer by playing as many local writer’s rounds as will have me! It’s always exciting and humbling to get to play because I meet so many amazing writers and artists every single time. It inspires me, and challenges me at the same time to keep honing my craft.

I hope the best is yet to come in my writing and artist career and I’m excited to announce that I’ll be releasing a new single “Pick Me Up” this fall that I wrote with my friend Janie Waddell, available anywhere you like to listen to music!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I’m still early on in my own journey, so I can relate to someone feeling like they’re just getting started or unsure of the next step. But here are three areas that I have and am continuing to grow in because of their level of impact for me personally.

First, keeping an abundance mindset. I used to live in a scarcity world, believing the lie that there were only so many opportunities out there. If someone else saw success, then I was either running behind or there was one less open door for me. However, recognizing that for the lie it is and not comparing myself to others has allowed me to feel way more freedom in pursuing this dream and way less pressure. Rather than letting the joy get sucked out of something I love and being bitter towards others, I can be proud of where I am and at the same time be genuinely excited for their success. It’s also allowed to me to form more real friendships with people who are passionate about the same thing I am, rather than feeling like I’m in competition with them. For that I am so thankful. Besides- the world always needs a bit more beauty, community, and joy so live in that abundance mindset!

On a more tangible level, learning to improve my knowledge of guitar chords always allows for more dynamic and creative songwriting. If you’re just starting, just look up your favorite song right now and practice until you get it down! Then do another! It’s more fun to play songs you love to hear and with each new song you look up, you’ll be expanding your skills.

Lastly, practicing live shows. It was such a scary first step to take the first time I put myself out there. But it will help you grow so much more as an artist. Music is all about connecting with people and in front of a live crowd, you get to experience that in real time. So just go out there and do it as much as you can. It doesn’t matter where you play- just play! And be in the habit of watching other live performances for more inspiration and ideas.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am without the support of my family and parents. The biggest thing they’ve done for me is believing in me even when I was doubting myself. From pushing me get out of my comfort zone, buying me my first guitar, and driving hours to come watch my gigs, they always show up and support. I am so blessed. It’s a big motivator to continue to keep working as hard as I can and not take for granted all the ways they’ve helped me along the way.

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Image Credits

Brianna Moore Photography

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