Lori Beth Brooke: A Shining Texas Star By: Matt Powell

Lori Beth Brooke has won numerous awards for her contributions to accordion, yodeling, songwriting, and Western music. Most recently, she was honored as this year’s Happy Music Ambassador by the Happy Music Center at the National Accordion Association Convention in Lewisville, Texas.

“It’s always an honor to be recognized as a musician for the time and dedication and work that goes in,” Brooke said while accepting the award. “But this hits on a whole other level. This is about bringing the joy of music to people.” 

Brooke’s musical journey began in second grade, playing a 12 button accordion by ear as a way to pass the long summer days on the family farm. Her initial accordion style grew out of the polka music of her German heritage, and her Texas upbringing steered her into Western music. Yodeling was the musical bridge between the two.

Humor was valued in her family growing up, and comes out in her songwriting naturally. “Happiness is really at the root of everything I do,” she says, “Otherwise what’s the point? Most of my songs have a positive message to begin with. We write about what we know about.”

She has released two albums of original music, Texas Star (2020) and Light of the Moon (2024). Her skillful songcraft, exemplified in songs like “Knock Knock,” and “Call of the Hualapai,” has earned her multiple songwriting awards and accolades.

Brooke was especially moved by the reaction of her friends and fans to her recent Happy Music Ambassador award. “I got reactions online that are poignant to me because they are people I know from all walks of life, and they all say, ‘this is the right award for you, this is what you do.’ So that’s been reaffirming.”

She continues to spread that affirmation in live performances, preferring smaller, intimate concerts where interaction with the audience can heighten joy, and humor can light up the room. “Sometimes it’s the people I least expect who come up and say something afterwards,” she says, “Maybe a song reminded them of their grandmother, or how they really related to a song.”

Brooke has often been the only woman in bands, and her songs offer a humorous take from a woman’s perspective, from “Cowgirl Outfit,” to “Hot Flash Baby” to “Guys Love Chicks Who Yodel.” Sometimes at her gigs, people assume a male bandmate is the leader. “People don’t even realize that they’re doing it,” she says, “I’m not there to be the ruler over all. The goal is to provide entertainment to the people. The other musicians on the stage with me, they’re my equals. We share in that vision and that’s all that matters.”

Brooke hopes to see more accordions in Texas schools, and plans to start offering accordion lessons. She learned theory at music school, but had to figure out the rest on her own. These insights can be invaluable to younger musicians. “The actual getting out and playing the gigs, you learn as you do. You learn about audiences, putting together set lists, how to play the same song over and over again and how to make it better.”

Her advice for aspiring musicians is simple and positive. “If you love doing it, then keep doing it. You never know where it’s going to lead you. You’ll have plenty of voices telling you that you can’t make a living doing that, or you shouldn’t be spending your time doing that. But at the very least, do it for your own enjoyment. Don’t give up. Keep trying to get better and better, and always keep learning.”

Matt Powell is a writer and musician. His work explores the interconnectivity of all music and the people who create or listen. His writing has been featured in several publications, including Variety, No Depression, Emmys.com, and Angels Flight—Literary West. Learn more at www.theemattpowell.com