orn in the Texas Hill Country, Toby was a vital part of the underground boy band scene in Austin but finally decided to give up the tight pants and highlighted hair for his unspoken love, Tejano or “Tex-Mex” music. After 9 self-produced albums with his group “El Toby” he cashed in his chips and returned to his first love, boy banding, only to find that his dozens of fans had all become high school sophomores and were really into John Mayer. Broken hearted McBrooks found himself frequenting the honky-tonks to drown his sorrow.

“Say what you will about McBrooks, you can’t deny, he works hard to be the epicenter of attention” COUNTRY PEOPLE MAGAZINE

In these country bars Toby found his new love, her name was Beth and she agreed to marry Toby after 8 shots, 3 proposals, and 2 hours of knowing him. The happy couple set out to prove their parents and friends wrong by “making it work” and they did just that, for 6 ½ weeks, three times longer than anyone guessed. The pair even managed to start a family in that short time conceiving a son that Toby loves dearly despite his looking suspiciously Dominican (Toby’s words).

“WOOOOOOHOOOOOOO” Audience member (Tulsa, OK)

Months after his marriage hit the rocks Toby started drinking again to medicate his broken heart, only now he did it at home to save money and one night after several adult beverages Toby realized there was something missing. THE MUSIC. That was when he opened his eyes to his actual, first, one-true love, Country Music. McBrooks wasted no time forming a band and striking out on the Texas circuit of Singer-Songwriters. Playing the college towns and local haunts, Toby worked his way up the ladder and learned how to please a crowd and avoid statutory charges. Eventually he determined that the college circuit wasn’t enough and decided to go for it all. A friend told him a story about Kris Kristopherson landing a helicopter in Johnny Cash’s yard to sell a song. Inspired Toby went about getting a record deal the same way, except instead of a helicopter it was a 1992 Chrysler LeBaron that Toby drove through the living room wall of legend Kenny Rogers. The young singer held Roger’s hostage for hours until he promised to listen to his demo.

“If this is where country music is headed then I… want to be apart of it” – TWANG Album review

The Gambler wasn’t pleased and actually beat Toby unconscious after police had cuffed him but a man of his word, he did listen to the demo, 6 months later when Toby was released there was a record deal waiting for him on the outside. With the credibility of a stretch in prison, the liver of a hobo, and an arsenal of new songs Toby McBrooks once again donned his tight pants and highlighted his hair, but this time it was different because it was contemporary country and not “that gay, boy band crap”  (also Toby’s words). The rest is just crazy.

“Pure D Genius” – Toby McBrooks.

bio taken from Bonnie Duggan: Country Music Blogger