I was lost—in more ways than I can count. I'd lost my way, lost my family, lost my friends. I was totally screwed up from all the acid trips, and the speed and the MDA binges, with strange-coloured animals flitting by me, seeing and hearing things that weren't there. I knew I had done something to myself, that I had crossed a line. I knew I was messed up in a bad way. I'd seen the end of Danny Brooks: in an alleyway with a needle sticking out of my arm. But God had another idea. He wouldn't let me forsake the life He'd given me. My spirit cried out for help from a place of black despair. I believe this book is one of the reasons He kept me alive. He wanted me to share my story of loss and redemption. No matter how badly strung out you are, there is always hope. There is always Him to call on. Faith can make you clean. Faith can keep you sober. Faith can give you your life back, and your dignity, family and friends.
My story isn't pretty, but my hope is that it will be a light at the end of the tunnel for you or a loved one who has lost his way. May the way be found.
Sincerely,
Danny.
Table of Contents:
Foreword (John Donabie). Introduction.
PART I – IN THE BEGINNING.
Chapter 1: Peering into Madness.
Chapter 2: The Sixties.
Chapter 3: On the Road.
Chapter 4: The Needle.
Chapter 5: Los Angeles, 1969.
Chapter 6: Heading Home.
Chapter 7: Toronto: Late September, 1969-1971.
Chapter 8: The Profits of Crime.
Chapter 9: Guelph Reformatory.
Chapter 10: The OR.
Chapter 11: My Time Is Up.
PART II – POSSIBILITY THINKING.
Chapter 12: Many Rivers to Cross.
Chapter 13: Married Life.
Chapter 14: Road Stories.
Chapter 15: Me and Brownie McGee.
Chapter 16: Me and Mr. Johnson, 1985-1987.
PART III – CHANGE IS GOING TO COME.
Chapter 17: Empty Inside.
Chapter 18: The Painful Beginning.
Chapter 19: The Three Wise Guys.
Chapter 20: Leaving the Donwood.
Chapter 21: Learning to Get Down!
Chapter 22: The Test.
Chapter 23: Demons and Angels.
PART IV – THE BEST IS YET TO COME.
Chapter 24: Miracles for Breakfast.
Chapter 25: The Nashville Miracles.
Chapter 26: The Loblaws Miracles.
Chapter 27: UCB Radio and Richard Wright.
Chapter 28: "Bama Bound Miracle"/Johnny Sandlin.
Chapter 29: Divine Appointments.
Chapter 30: My Family Today.
Chapter 31: How I Came to Be Published.
Epilogue.
End Notes.
Acknowledgments.
About the Author/Discography.
About the Author :
Danny Brooks grew up in in rougher area of Toronto. In his early teens he found he had a passion for music—especially the blues and rock 'n' roll. Danny's been on the road for almost 40 years and for much of that time was addicted to drugs and alcohol that led to incarceration. In April 1987 he entered the Donwood Clinic and shortly thereafter, on August 3, gave his life to Christ and has been clean ever since. He performs in Canada and the US, and some of his most heartfelt material is about his life experience. He has a number of CDs: After The Storm (a Juno nomination) and Rough Raw & Simple, both with Duke St./MCA; It's a Southern Thing; Righteous (Live at the Southside Shuffle); Saved: The Northernblues Gospel Allstars (a Juno nomination); Soulsville: Souled Out 'n' Sanctified; Soulsville: Rock This House (Shai Award/Best Blues/Jazz Album 2007) A new record deal has been inked with legendary Capricorn Records' producer Johnny Sandlin on his Rockin' Camel Records and the release No Easy Way Out is slated for September 2007.
