She prefers club jams to dad Hulk Hogan's body slams. Dance floors to his "figure fours." Grown up and pursuing the music career she's always dreamed of, the legendary grappler's girl, Brooke, recently enlightened the Nightcrawler on her inspirations, reality show sensation and a fleeting temptation to lace up some wrasslin' boots.
Are you finding a lot of fans of the TV show on the road along with the ones who simply know your music from the radio?
I am, and it's cool because they tell me seeing me in their hometown is like the grand finale of the show for them. They've seen all the hard work I've done to get my career to this point, and now, here I am.
I think the show is really a win-win for you, because in addition to the exposure, it does show people that you've really had to work at it and nothing was handed to you simply for being Hulk Hogan's daughter.
It does… but in my opinion, the show only shows about 5 percent of the work I really put into it. I mean, I practice hours every day, it seems, but they may show three minutes of that in the 22 minutes of show.
I know where the drive comes from, but to what do you credit your love of music and current career path? I've seen your father noodle on a guitar, but music wasn't big in your household, was it?
Are you kidding? [laughs] My father is actually a great guitarist and pianist, and my mother taught me everything I know about singing.
Was there ever any temptation to lace up the boots and follow in your father's sizeable wrestling footsteps?
I would go to the events with him, and a few times, yeah, in the middle of all the energy and excitement, I thought about it. But when the show was over and we were going home, that rush that I felt would pass.
Almost a year has passed since your album, Undiscovered, dropped. Any plans to hit the studio soon or any new tracks we may hear this weekend?
You know, I'm at a point where I'm really cleaning house, trying to figure who's with me for my best interest and who's not. So I'm going to take my time for the next record, make sure I write a lot more myself and basically make sure I have the best possible team around me.
I assume your Dad will be on the team, and I would be remiss not to ask. Will the Hulkster be at The Big E?
Yes, he is always on the team, but unfortunately, I don't think he'll be making it up.
Brooke Hogan performs at The Big E Saturday, Sept. 22.
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In other news, a benefit concert for Samuel Owen Haynes, whose mother passed away four days after his birth in May 2007, will take place Thursday, Sept. 20 at Mount Holyoke's Chapin Auditorium. The show features more than a dozen musical notables, including John Gorka, The Nields and The Young@Heart Chorus. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.nbotickets.com.
That same night, Sept. 20, Celtic kings The Muses check into the Hampden Public Library for a 6:30 p.m. engagement.
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. Box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 698-9373 or email Garycarra@aol.com.
