Michelle Brooks-Thompson

A phenomenal singer on the rise

Interview by The Heat Seekers

In 2021, After hearing the news that Michelle Brooks-Thompson wanted to sign with Sony Orchard, I was elated and honored to work with her. I saw her greatness from afar and I knew she would make waves in the music world. 1 Year later she is at the top of billboard charts across the country, singing The National Anthem for several sports teams, and making appearances on major talk shows and podcasts. So we all want to know..who is Michelle Brooks-Thompson?

The Heat Seekers: Tell us how you got started?

Michelle Brooks-Thompson: I started singing at a very young age under the tutelage of my mother. Most of the training came from within my maternal grandparents church.

THS: What was your ultimate goal when you signed with Sony Orchard?

MBT: Prior to signing with Sony Orchard, I had spent my career performing and creating music to be released. My hope has always been to get a distribution deal and or a major label deal so this was step in the right direction.

THS: How do you balance music and family?

MBT: I really have a great support system. Without my husband (David) and closest family members (Gigi my sister-cousin, my daughters Aaliyah and Aleesia, and my son D3), it would be very difficult to pursue music at the level I have been blessed to do so. I really could not balance this career plus family without them standing beside me and cheering me on.

THS: How long have you been on this journey with music?

MBT: I would say that I’ve been on this journey pretty much all of my life. I knew as a child that I wanted to be a singer. I always found myself in music and it was done intentionally so that I was able to build a foundation. At one moment… I thought that I wanted to be a doctor so I enrolled in college as Pre-med but then decided during my senior year of college that I wanted to sing. I changed my major to Music with a concentration in vocal performance and piano. From that moment on everything that I did was for the advancement of my music career.

THS: How long does it normally take to write, record, and distribute a song?

MBT: This is a question that has many answers because the process isn’t always the same for me. Sometimes I’ve created songs from dreams, while driving in the car, or just sitting at home and a song pops into my head. From there it involves connecting with a producer who can help make that song come to life. Sometimes that can be a quick process and sometimes it may take a little bit more time. We might add or change things to ensure we create the best. Going into the studio can be lengthy as far as the time it takes to record lead & background vocals and the band. Mixing and mastering is next and that takes time. Once all the pieces are in place then we forward it for distribution. Distribution really is based on their calendar of release dates/ cycle. We use this calendar as well as our preferred date to choose the best date.

THS: You have a long list of recordings and individuals you have worked with. What are you most proud of achieving?

MBT: I have been able to work with different producers, singers, songwriters, and musicians. I would say the entire span of my musical career is what I’m most proud of. I have achieved so much in my career that I look at it all in amazement. As an independent artist there are challenges when it comes to creating your brand and name amongst some of the major artists in this industry. When I see my music on the billboards and receive award nominations, it makes the highs and lows of my journey seem worth it and that I wasn’t wrong for changing my college major.

THS: What keeps you going?

MBT: It is my Faith in God that keeps me going. Now there have been times that I have wanted to give up but there is something inside of me that pushes me and tells me to keep going. The word of God sustains me in my lowest moments. When I feel like I haven’t come as far as I think, I take a look back at all the things that God has blessed me to achieve and realize that I’m on the right track. I have come so far and there’s more for me to accomplish. I just need to keep the faith. It’s just like my single: “Never give up, never give in, you’re closer to the top, you’re closer to the win!”

THS: Tell how did you get the opportunity to sing at so many sporting events in the Boston Area?

MBT: Singing the National Anthem started in 2011. I was working at the time and I walked into work one morning and my boss presented me with a flyer for an audition.The Boston Red Sox was hosting a competition called Sing Your Way to Fenway. She encouraged me to leave work and go audition for the Boston Red Sox. It would afford a winner the opportunity to sing for opening day that season. There were 121 singers and I was selected as the winner! From there the rest is history. It was my opening day performance that wowed the fans, the players, and sporting league executives. From that moment, I began to receive phone calls from different sporting teams and organizations that loved my rendition and wanted me to perform for their games and special events. It’s been over 10 years and I keep getting calls.

THS: Who inspired you in Gospel Music?

MBT: I would not say that there is one artist that inspires me in the gospel music genre. For me … Gospel is just the genre to classify the style of music. The message that is being given through Gospel is inspired by the word of God. My decision or inspiration to sing Gospel music has been based on spiritual inspiration. I can tell you who inspires me vocally and that would be voices like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, Yolanda Adams, Kelly Price, Patti LaBelle, and my mother.

THS: What would you like to see differently in the music industry?

MBT: I would like there to be a true equal level playing field for independent artists in the industry. It almost seems like there is an entire separate movement that is being birth for independent artists. We are creating our own award shows, radio program platforms, and our own indie support groups that are separate from major music artists. I don’t believe there should be a barrier between independent artists and major record label artists. Both types of artists are releasing great music however, the level of respect and honor is not there. I often ask the question, how do we get the respect when our name isn’t big enough but our talent is? How do you get a “name” when you are considered a “no name” and folks don’t take indie artists serious or give indie artists a chance to become a big name? It’s like we have to prove ourselves… yet we aren’t listened to without that “name”. I am thankful for artists like Chance the Rapper. His success is proof that there are great indie artists who are pushing forward and going to that next level. We out here and we are coming!

THS: If you could give any advice to an up and coming gospel music artist, what would it be?

MBT: My advice to every artist that is coming up in the music industry, regardless of the genre, is to keep the faith. Believe in yourself as if you’re already at the level you desire. Don’t wait until you get to that level to believe in your musical talent. Now’s the time in your journey to believe. The truth is that you are going to face opposition and experience closed doors as well as opened doors. Those oppositions that you face can often make you doubt your talent and your calling. During these times keep your faith grounded and hold on to your dreams. Don’t let anybody take them away from you… even if it seems that your journey has obstacles. Use these obstacles as learning moments and add it as fuel to your fire to keep your passion burning. Your time will come.

THS: What are your future music goals from here ?

MBT: Right now my goal is to see myself next year on the stage at the Grammys. This goal of course includes creating an album and releasing great music for the world.

THS: How can your fans reach you?

MBT: People can find me on social media as Michelle Brooks-Thompson and MBThompsonsings (Twitter & Instagram). My website is www.michellebrooksthompsonmusic.com