Starting 2017 at Luke Bryan’s ‘Crash My Playa’ festival in Mexico, then releasing her new single “Act Like You Don’t,” it’s been an incredible 2017 for Red Bow Records artist Brooke Eden. We caught up with the Florida native this weekend at Stagecoach to find out what else she has been working on.
TCN: You’ve stated your new single “Act Like You Don’t” is out is incredibly personal – what meaning does this song have to you?
BE: I wrote this song to help me get through a breakup. It was one of those breakups that never ended, one day you’re broken up, then back together, and then broken up again. Emotionally I couldn’t do it anymore; I can’t give part of myself to you while trying to move on. One night I saw my ex and the next morning he texted me telling me he missed me. I sent a text back and told him “If you ever loved me and even if you still do, I need you to act like you don’t”.
BE: Yes, it was kind of a whirlwind. I was doing it in-between radio tours; I was out on the road Monday – Friday, then Saturday I would go to the studio. The writing process started about a year before. We’re actually getting ready to put out a full-length album, slated for October. I’ve written over 100 songs in the last two years, so to be able to put something out that is a full body of work will be so cool. The EP was an abbreviated version of that and since putting it out the shows are different. People have music they can hold onto before they go to the show and they are actually singing along at the show.
TCN: How did you narrow down your songs to figure out what would be on the album?
BE: I hold onto songs that mean something important to me or that feel good. There have been songs that I have not been obsessed with and I brought it to a live audience and everyone loves it or there have been times where I thought everyone was going to love it and the audience doesn’t really react. I really do use a live audience to help me choose.
TCN: You recently had your Opry debut, what was it like performing at the Opry?
BE: They called me about two weeks before, and of course I called my mom and I was balling and sobbing. My mom thought I was in the hospital or someone died, and I told her I was going to do my Opry debut. My mom, dad, and some other family members got to come out and watch my show. I remember going to the Opry when I was 17 with my Dad and going to see Loretta Lynn, Gretchen Wilson, and Chris Young, so for me to get to sing on the stage where Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson and other incredible artists before me, there are no words.
TCN: Did you remember your performance at the Opry?
BE: I did two performances, thank god. The first performance I don’t remember a thing. Like I feel like I blacked out on stage, I saw the crowd when I first walked out and then I don’t remember anything. Then I walked off the stage, someone high-fived me and I thought what just happened.
TCN: What was your first job?
BE: The first performance I got paid for was my first job. I was 12 and I was opening for Alan Jackson. My dad’s a drummer in a country band and they called him to open for Alan at the amphitheater in my home town and his band was booked, so they asked him if they knew of anyone and he said “My daughter”. They asked if I could sing and hour and a half set and I said “ Yep, totally”. I went and learned a bunch of songs. My first non-music job, I worked at Limited Too. I love fashion and one of my best friends worked there and said they were hiring and shoot I needed $6.50 an hour so I said, “Lets do it”.
Pick up Brooke’s single “Act Like You Don’t” and her EP Welcome to the Weekend where all digital media is sold. Look for Brooke’s debut Album this fall and check to see if Brooke is coming your way to catch her live.