Album Notes

Please Note: This is an ENHANCED CD, with video, pics, bio, etc.!

Family tradition is a mainstay of our society, and Henry Louis Brake IV is keeping his family tradition of cherishing and performing music alive and well. A third generation performer, Hank was heavily influenced by his Grandmother, who sang in the Rocky Mount, NC Civic Chorus, his father, who performed with the North Carolina State Glee Club, and a mother who listens to music almost 24/7. His debut CD, MAYBE I'D BEST LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE, is a 10-track collection of some of the best traditional country music: from beautiful love songs, to Texas dance hall shuffles and gut-wrenching ballads. Once you've heard this CD, you'll understand why Hank has received over 110,000+ Worldwide listens on his Mp3.com site.
Possessing all-American boy blonde haired blue-eyed good looks, and a voice to match, Hank knew that he was destined to perform the music of his soul. Born in Raleigh, North Carolina, he spent most of his formative years in Charlotte. He sang at every opportunity; in the Junior High Chorus, the church choir, family reunions, and impromptu gospel quartets. Heading out on the road, he has honed his craft in some of Americas favorite honky-tonks, like the legendary Gilley's in Houston, The Palomino in Los Angeles, Miss Kitty's in Marietta and Mama's Country Showcase in Atlanta. He has had the opportunity to open for many of country's music royalty: Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Joe Diffie, Kenny Chesney and many others.
MAYBE I'D BEST LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE, is an enhanced CD that features a photo album chock-full of family photos, session shots and the music video for the title track. The CD was produced by legendary Grammy-award winning producer Larry Butler. "I am proud to have produced a project for Hank," Larry says. "He has the voice and the looks to make a huge impact in Country Music." "Maybe I'd Best Leave Well Enough Alone" is the debut single. Co-written by Larry Butler and Dean Dillon, this easy-listening ballad weaves a tale of lost love and a momentary question of rekindling an old relationship or leaving it alone. "Back In The Swing of Things" is a basic up-tempo Texas two step, featuring twin fiddles that speaks of conquering life's adversity and doing whatever it takes to get back in the swing of things..a tune that is destined to become an American anthem. "What I Do The Best" is a cover of a wonderful love song, from a John Michael Montgomery album, now a heartfelt pledge to Hank's wife, Cindi. "There's a great story about this song: "Cindi and I were dating, and hadn't yet picked "Our Song," which is almost a crime here in the South," Hank laughingly explains. "One afternoon I was cruising along through a horrible thunderstorm on my way to Calhoun, Georgia. I was traveling about 20 mph, and could only see about 10 feet in front of the car. With about an hour to go on what would usually be a 20 minute ride I popped a new John Michael Montgomery CD in and hunkered down. As I listened to the lyrics of "What I Do The Best" I realized that this is exactly the way I felt about Cindi...I'd found "Our Song!" I learned the song while driving through the rain. Then on the way back home I called her on the cell phone and sang the song to her, promising that I would record this on a CD for her one day...(her response was "Yeah, right!") and that day has arrived! I kept my promise." The CD is receiving airplay on Mp3 in Argentina, Iran, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, France, Ireland, Australia, Bangladesh, Germany, Belgium, Kenya, Japan, Italy, Russia and New Zealand. Recently Hank noticed that he was even receiving 2 listens a week from Vatican City.
The praise has traveled from far and wide: "You have excellent smooth country vocals! I certainly will be airing more tracks from this 5-star album." Kiwi Kate, Radio Woodville 97 & 88.3 FM, Tararuas, New Zealand; "Your version of "Back In The Swing of Things" is fantastic. That and the three Texas dance hall shuffles will get lots of air time on my "Swingin West" radio show," Mike Gross, WVOF-FM, Fairfield, CT; and "I really love your latest music...the video clip on the album is wonderful and it almost left me in tears. I will put your music as much as I can on my radio show," Jesse James, VBRO 106 & 107.9FM, Brugge, Belgium.
The Metro Atlanta Country Music Club named Hank the Top Local Male Recording Artist, and Top Male Recording Artist of 2001. MACMC President Don Adkisson says of Hank, "Seven Atlanta Top Ten hits, and one of the best Traditional Country Artists to come out of here in a long while."
Currently, Hank is collaborating with Greg Robert, former keyboardist/vocalist for the innovative rock group Kansas, and songwriter/bassist Buddy Carvalho on a song collection for his next project.