John Andrew “Andy” Brooks, music instructor at Oconee History Museum, is being honored with the Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award from the South Carolina General Assembly.
The Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award is named for the late State Rep. Jean Laney Harris of Cheraw, respected as an outspoken advocate and ardent supporter of the arts and cultural resources of the state. Up to four artists or organizations and one advocate may receive awards each year. The program is managed jointly by the South Carolina Arts Commission and McKissick Museum at UofSC. Community members make nominations to recognize exemplary artistic achievement/advocacy. An independent advisory panel appointed by the Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House selects the recipients, who must be living and practicing in the state.
“Andy embodies the musical heritage of Oconee County,” said Oconee History Museum Director/Curator Leslie Hagerty, “we are very proud of Andy’s accomplishments and are honored to have his passion for old time music in our music program at the museum.” Brooks has been an instructor at Oconee History Museum for 10 years, teaching guitar, banjo, and primarily fiddle. “Andy has such a following with his fiddle class because of his excellent instruction and his jovial personality,” said Jennifer Moss Assistant Curator and music program director, “Andy really is a treasure that we hold dear here at the museum.” Brooks’ students have gone on to place at the South Caroline Fiddle Championship and have become part of local bands.
For more information on the music program at Oconee History Museum, visit www.oconeehistorymuseum.org or contact Jennifer Moss at 864-638-2224.
John Andrew (Andy) Brooks first plucked the strings of a banjo when he was 4 years old. Since, he’s picked up guitar and fiddle and gone so far as to win the 2016 S.C. Fiddle Championship while placing second in banjo that year. His passion for traditional Southern music has resulted in a collection of hundreds of tunes he knows and plays by heart. An avid educator, Brooks has taught for the Young Appalachian Musicians After School Program and the Oconee History Museum, and this summer will teach Appalachian banjo at the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina. Brooks plays for dances and hosts jams where musicians of different skill levels and repertoires share and learn from one another. In 2016, he co-founded the Old Keowee Contra Dance to benefit the Oconee History Museum. Brooks’ art form, old-time music, blends historic influences from Africa and the British Isles and features sacred and secular songs. Brooks considers old-time music a community-based tradition, in which everyone contributes to the music, through dancing, playing or singing.