He’s been writing “songs with punch lines” for over 40 years – including the one that put the kids through college, “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.” Ever since his high school folk trio travelled to New York to appear on CBS’s Ted Mack Amateur Hour, Randy has been an over-achieving amateur. “Grandma,” as recorded by Elmo & Patsy, topped Billboard’s Christmas chart multiple times. Another million-seller for Randy was “Grandma’s” B-side, “Percy, The Puny Poinsettia.” In his writing, he’s not afraid to tackle the tough subjects – not only holiday pathos, but things like intestinal disorder, and attraction among the unattractive. His songs have appeared in theatrical and cable movies, and on network television shows such as "Saturday Night Live," "Today," "Good Morning America," "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon," and "King of the Hill." In addition, "Grandma Got Run Over" has spawned an animated Christmas special, musical toys, ornaments, greeting cards, and inflatable yard abominations. It was after a performance at Nashville's Bluebird Café that hit songwriter Beverly Ross ('Judy's Turn to Cry,' 'Lollipop') likened him to Ray Stevens. Several of his songs have appeared on CDs of his bands Young Country, the Bad Monkeys, and Southwestern Pilgrimage, but in 2013 Randy finally released a CD of his own. If this doesn’t jump-start the American economy, then we don’t know what will. Liner notes: The Garbage Dumpster Took My Love Away © KRIS Publishing (SESAC) 2:09 I was still in college. I wrote this when I should have been studying. The chuckles it got in live performances led me to write novelty songs instead of religious essays or adult films. Guitar: Ronnie Brooks Engineered by Jon Wolfert at PAMS, Dallas. Blame the Japanese © KRIS Publishing (SESAC) 3:12 This began life as a New York Times op/ed piece by retired economics professor George Dawson during an era when business and government seemed to be blaming the Japanese for all our economic woes. Dear Abby subsequently reprinted it. My Grandma publisher secured the rights to turn it into a song, and offered me first crack at it. It was shopped around Nashville briefly, but I’m told that the prevailing response was that country music listeners don’t understand the concept of satire. Guitar, Piano, Brass, Woodwinds, Gong: Johnny Hooper Banjo & Harmonica: Kevin Bailey Bass: Phil Cromeens Drums: Mike Collier Background Vocals: Johnny Hooper, Randy Brooks Produced by Johnny Hooper at Crystal Clear Sound, Dallas. Will You Be Ready at the Plate (When Jesus Throws the Ball?) © KRIS Publishing (SESAC) 3:05 From the Young Country eponymous album. This is what happens when you watch the World Series with the sound turned down, and Why Me, Lord? comes on the radio. A song equally suitable for religious or athletic supporters. Electric guitar: Ronnie Brooks Acoustic guitar: Randy Brooks, Rick Sparks Bass: Scott Long Drums: Jim Sturman Piano: Cliff Milford Percussion: Cheryl Cleavenger Background Vocals: Cheryl Cleavenger, Rick Sparks, Ronnie Brooks, Betty Long, Scott Long, Karen Madding, Melanie Mortimer, Larry Myers, Brad Watson, Randy Brooks Engineered by Larry Wallace (this was no doubt the cut on his audition reel that got him the Pink Floyd gig.) Recorded at Sumet Studios, Dallas. The Fly © Elmo Publishing & Randy Brooks Music (SESAC) 2:00 I thought it would be a great idea to turn the old horror film into a musical. Remember – this was the 70s. May be too intense for younger children. Banjo & Guitar: Rick Sparks Bass: Randy Brooks Piano: Rod Phillips Engineered by Lane Cameron at Lane Cameron Music Services, Reno The Mexican Waltz © Randy Brooks Music (SESAC) 3:52 From The Bad Monkeys’ “No Time for Schmaltz” CD. Remember “progressive country,” with Willie and Waylon and the boys? Remember intestinal disorders? Guitar & Bass: Randy Brooks Drums: Zach Rhodes Mariachi Keyboard: Louie Chambers Background Vocals: Kelly Brown, Sharon Oefinger, Louie Chambers, Randy Brooks Harmonica & Fiddle: Tony Vinsey Drunken Cantina Patrons: Steve Jones, Ray Prevott Engineered by Samwise Gamgee Thompson at an understandably undisclosed location in Deep Ellum, Texas. Bag Over Your Head © Randy Brooks Music (SESAC) 2:22 From The Bad Monkeys’ “Coastal Girl” CD. I was sitting at a stop light one day when a girl crossed the street in front of me – not a raving beauty, but she got my attention, didn’t she? My first thought was, “You may not be pretty…but you look pretty good to me.” My second thought was, “Write that down.” Guitar: Greg White Bass: Randy Brooks Drums: Chuck Lansford Piano: Louie Chambers Harmony Vocal: Kelly Brown Background Vocals: Sharon Oefinger Engineered by Greg White at SG Studios, Fort Worth. Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer © KRIS Publishing & Elmo Publishing (SESAC) All rights administered by BMG/Chrysalis. 3:52 Patterned after Merle Haggard’s hits, this is a parody of country music’s death-of-a-beloved-figure-in-the-third-verse sub-genre. At the time when I wrote this, if anyone had told me that it would put my kids through college, I would have thought, “But I don’t have kids!” Guitar: Ronnie Brooks Bass: Randy Brooks Drums: Billy Thomas Harmonica: Jason Goforth Background Vocals: Kristi Brooks, Libby Brooks, Ronnie Brooks, Randy Brooks. But not Garth. Grandpa: Bill Tennyson Produced by Ronnie Brooks. Engineered by Bill Tennyson. Recorded, appropriately, in front of the Christmas tree at Casa Tennyson, Nashville. Whole-Lot Better Half of Me © Randy Brooks Music (SESAC) 2:32 I was flat on my aching back with a ruptured disk. One morning, as my beloved bride brought me another pain pill, I thought, “You’re my legs when I can’t walk.” Guitar: Ronnie Brooks Bass: Randy Brooks Drums: Billy Thomas Organ: Phil Madiera Background Vocals: Kristi Brooks, Libby Brooks, Ronnie Brooks, Randy Brooks Produced by Ronnie Brooks. Engineered by Bill Tennyson at Casa Tennyson, Nashville. Buy the Band a Drink © Randy Brooks Music (SESAC) 3:04 From the Bad Monkeys’ “Coastal Girl” CD. A transparent attempt to get audiences to…well…buy the band a drink. Hasn’t worked yet. Electric Guitar: Greg White Acoustic Guitar: Kelly Brown Fiddle: Mark Abbott Bass: Randy Brooks Drums: Chuck Lansford Piano: Louie Chambers Background Vocals: Kelly Brown, Sharon Oefinger, Randy Brooks Engineered by Greg White at SG Studios, Fort Worth. I’d Rather Be Sailin’ (with Governor Palin) © Randy Brooks Music (SESAC) 3:43 At a songwriter showcase, the late Troy Allan encouraged me to turn off the car radio on road trips, and give inspiration a chance. The next morning I did just that, and this happened. Guitar: Ronnie Brooks Bass: Randy Brooks Cahon: Billy Thomas Accordion: Phil “Do I have to get a credit for this?” Madiera Background Vocals: Ronnie Brooks, Bill Tennyson, Randy Brooks Engineered by Bill Tennyson at Casa Tennyson, Nashville. It’s Halloween (A Christmas Song) © Randy Brooks Music (SESAC) 3:48 Self-explanatory (unless you’re a country music listener who doesn’t understand the concept of satire.) Guitar & Bass: Randy Brooks Banjo, Mandolin, Guitar: Rick Sparks Fiddle: Robert Erlich Piano: Rod Phillips Background Vocals: Rod Phillips, Karen Roemmich, Rick Sparks, Randy Brooks Engineered by Lane Cameron at Lane Cameron Music Services, Reno. And a disintegrating-tape-found-in-an-abandoned building “bonus track:” Don’t Tell Me You Love Me © Randy Brooks Music (SESAC) 2:55 Obviously a very young me on a very old track, converted to digital just before the tape was about to self-destruct. Taylor Swift, though not yet conceived at the time, was already sending me telepathic encouragement to write vindictive lyrics until she could be born and do it herself. Guitar, Piano: Johnny Hooper Bass: Phil Cromeens Drums: Mike Collier Background Vocals: Johnny Hooper, Randy Brooks Produced by Johnny Hooper somewhere in Dallas (records destroyed in the Great Fire of 1871) Many thanks to all the talented folks credited above, and especially brother Ronnie – making me sound better since the Garfield administration.