He ventured to California with a good friend when he learned, like many of us, that the most popular game show host, Bob Barker would be retiring soon. So, he stood in line for 11 hours. Luckily, they were taping two shows that day because Brooks didn't make it into the first show.
After getting a call back number – lucky number 67 for him, he returned a few hours later praying many would not show up.
“The studio holds 300 so we did get in but were in the back upper row,” Brooks commented.
In the second half of the show, (you can find Brooks' episode on YouTube) with a bid of $4.00 for camping equipment, Brooks won his way on stage. The prize he went on to win was a weight set and a bed.
“When they showed the bed, I leaned over and told Bob that I really needed a bed since I was sleeping on my sofa. He asked if he could mention that on air and I said ‘yes’.”
After he played the game and won, Bob Barker asked the crowd to join him with saying, “All together, let's say nighty-night Brooks”.
Brooks still has everything he won on The Price Is Right – including the bed.
Brooks grew up in Lutherville, Baltimore County. After high school, instead of heading to college, he started working on a career. “I worked at a lot of high end gardening companies and became known as 'The Plant Doctor'. If anyone had plants that were dying or sick, I would get the call”.
His talents do not stop there. As an accomplished musician, Brooks is involved with a local band – InDEADnation. “I started playing the piano at five,” he commented.
The type of music the band plays is, as Brooks describes it, “we are a tribute band to the Grateful Dead.” True to form of Grateful Dead concerts, no two shows are the same.
If you are looking for a fun evening and enjoy The Grateful Dead music, you can usually find InDEADnation playing at The 8x10 Club in Federal Hill; The Recher Theatre in Towson or even at Au Poitin Stil in Timonium.
Besides his love of music, Brooks works at the Stoneleigh Lanes (just south of Towson).
“They [the bowling alley] are duck pins, which is fun and our alley supports the LGBT community”. The only downside to this bowling alley is there are stairs you need to go down to get to the alley. I won’t be there anytime soon, though I do enjoy a good game of bowling.
And an event upcoming that everyone needs to attend, is the 3rd Anniversary of InDEADnation and Brooks' 40th Birthday Party on March 3rd. Both can be located at, you guessed it, Stoneleigh Lanes.
Brooks resides in the Stoneleigh area with, as he calls it “my best friend. We were friends for 22 years and together for three.” The couple shares their home with two kitties.
When I asked Brooks to describe himself, he quickly pointed out what I have known about him for years. He is a “fun loving happy guy and if you need help, I'm your man”.
Good to know – I need work on my garden.
