Wiley Brooks-Martin
by Trisha Bleau

CS: Please share with us how your music career started.

WBM: I come from a family that has a great love for music. My great-grandfather was a guitarist, my grandfather was a singer, and so were his brothers. In fact they sang gospel music and traveled to various chuches in Alabama spreading the Gospel. And my late cousin, Avery Richardson was a singer and is an inductee in the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. Therefore, I have always had music in my life, and I have always had a strong desire to sing. I started singing seriously about 10 years ago after being baptised. I joined my church choir and sang specials from time to time. The Lord then allowed key people to enter into my life to take me to the next level of recording and preparing me to do concerts.

CS: What is the main focus in your ministry? Teens? The lost? The hurting? Why did you decide up on this as a focus?

WBM: The main focus in my ministry are the hurting and those who feel they are in seemingly hopeless situations. Those who are feeling lost and alone. For example, those who may have been laid off from their jobs with the bills piling up, or those who may have lost a loved one and are feeling despondent and hurting. Basically, anyone who has been thrown a curve in life regardless of their age. I decided on this focus because of my own experiences in life. I have been in some pretty low points in my life, but knowing that God was right there with me to carry me through it all, gave me the faith and the strength to endure.

CS: Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten? The future?

WBM: God willing, I see my self still ministering and singing his praises.

CS: Do you ever worry about getting caught up in the world of show biz? That success will change your group?

WBM: Yes I do. Getting caught up in the world of show biz is something I do not want. It is very easy to get caught up in the attention and adulation, so I consttantly remind myself that my ministry is not about me. It is about spreading the Word of God and His goodness. And I would not, and cannot do anything without Him.

CS: What kind of relationship do you maintain with your audiences? Do you fellowship with them? Or do you remain distant as the performer?

WBM: I like to fellowship with my audiences. I am most comfortable when the atmosphere is like I am at home in my living room, fellowshiping with friends. I believe that is the most effective way to communicate any message I am trying to convey. And it makes everyone in attendance a lot more comfortable and receptive.

CS: Do you write your own music? Where do you get ideas for your music?

WBM: Yes I do write my own music. Although my CD contains primarily cover songs, I am writing my own music for my next project. I get my ideas for songs by just being aware of everything around me. For example, ideas for titles can be gotten by a phrase that may be spoken by someone. My own life experiences are a great source of material. Songwriting is synonomous with emotion, so ideas can be gotten just about anywhere.

CS: How would you describe your music style?

WBM: I would say it is a combination of Gospel and Contemporary Christian.

CS: Who, or what, are your biggest musical influences?

WBM: I would have to say Avery Richardson, Bryan Duncan, Susan Thomsen Clark, Stevie Wonder, and BeBe Winans are my biggest musical influences.

CS: What is your musical background? Did you take lessons to gain the musical skills you have now?

WBM: I began taking piano lessons when I was 5, and had my first recital at the age of 6. I continued studying the piano and music theory through high school. While in middle school I learned to play the trombone and also continued that through high school. I have always enjoyed singing but did not beging taking formal lessons till about a year ago.

CS: Do you find it strange to hear yourself singing on the radio or to see yourself in a video?

WBM: I always find it strange to hear myself singing no matter where it is. I don't know why, but I just have a hard time listening to myself. As far as video goes, I find that to be very strange to see.

CS: Any plans to sign with a major Label in the near future?

WBM: I would love to sign with a major label. It is all a matter of what God has planned for me.

CS: Do you have any advice to give to the youth of our world?

WBM: Since my ministry is focused toward those who feel lost and hurt, I will give my advice to those youth who fit that category. I hear that teenage suicide is on the rise, and the state of the world today is enough to bring anyone down. The teenage years can be awkward in the sense that some teenagers don't know just where they fit in in society, and some teenagers are pretty unsure of themselves. So the advice that I offer is for these youth to know that no matter what they are going through, realize that God loves them, and is always with them. No matter how bad things may seem at the time, there is always hope with God, and He will deliver you from whatever you are going through. Everything occurs in seasons, and seasons do change.