It’s not often – in fact, some might say very rare – for an artist to have an enduring musical career. In a day and age when most artists barely flicker for a moment before fading out of the spotlight, Lisa Brokop is set to celebrate 20 remarkable years of singing, songwriting and performing.
What’s the secret to her success? “I love what I do,” says Brokop. “Every note I sing, whether in the studio or from the stage, is true. It hasn’t always been an easy road. There have been many curves, bumps and detours. But really, it is the love of the music that motivates each step I take in the business. It keeps me moving forward. And I think fans feel and appreciate that love.”
Lisa’s love affair with performing began in suburban Vancouver, British Columbia. As a baby, it was clear to her parents that she was special - She was singing before she could talk! By the age of 7, she was on stage with her musical mother and brother, performing everything from polkas to Kenny Rogers' classics.
By age 12, she was sitting in with other Vancouver bands, and went professional at age 15 when she joined a touring band. A year later she began a solo career and released "Daddy Sing To Me", the first of a string of successful singles from her independent debut album
My Love.
At the age of 19, Lisa landed the lead female role in the feature film
Harmony Cats. The movie, in which Lisa plays a country singer who leaves home in search of a big break in Nashville, proved to be prophetic. Shortly after filming wrapped, and on the strength of her very first Nashville showcase, Lisa was signed to Capitol Records. Over the next three years, she released two critically acclaimed albums, the Canadian-certified Gold record
Every Little Girls Dream and the self-titled
Lisa Brokop, which garnered hits such as "Give Me a Ring Sometime," "Take That,” "Before He Kissed Me," and "She Can't Save Him.” In 1995, the prestigious
Academy of Country Music recognized Lisa with an award nomination for Top New Female Vocalist.
In 1998, Lisa signed with Sony Nashville/Columbia Records and released
When You Get To Be You featuring the hit singles "What's Not To Love,” "How Do I Let Go” and the top-10 smash hit "Better Off Broken."
Now comfortably established in her adopted home of Nashville, Tennessee, she took some time away from the rigors of the road and discovered a hidden wellspring of songwriting talent, which gave her renewed self-respect, strength and determination. The result was
Undeniable, a Canadian independent album that saw Lisa recognized with a series of
Canadian Country Music Awards, including two nods for Independent Song of the Year for the hits "Something Undeniable" and "I'd Like to See You Try," and three consecutive trophy wins for
Independent Female Artist of the Year.
It was during this time that Lisa really began to get noticed for her songwriting abilities. All ten songs on
Undeniable were co-written by Lisa and before long other stars were recording tracks she penned, including Reba McEntire, Terri Clark and Pam Tillis.
In 2004, Lisa signed with Curb/Asylum Records and released a breathtaking collection of songs entitled
Hey, Do You Know Me. From the poignant title track to classic ballads like "Just a Girl" and "Try Me Again Around Midnight,” Lisa crafted an album that she was truly proud of - a perfect combination of compelling music and gripping lyrics.
Brokop’s seventh album,
Beautiful Tragedy was released in August 2008 on the independent Ellbea Records label and featured the top-20 hit "Break It". Eleven of the album's twelve tracks were co-written by Brokop and all tracks were produced by Brokop and her husband
Paul Jefferson. Lisa and Paul welcomed baby Ivy into their lives in August 2009. The couple released a duo project
The Jeffersons in 2011.
In 2013, Lisa returned to commercial country radio and had success with songs "Let It Burn" and "Love Me If You Can" both of which were produced by fellow Canadian superstar Carolyn Dawn Johnson.
Ready to begin a yet another new chapter, Brokop is in the process of putting together the new musical venture, "Lisa Brokop: The Patsy Cline Project". Lisa will be paying homage to one of country music's greatest ladies with some of Cline's classic hits like "Sweet Dreams" and "Walkin After Midnight" as well as some of her own material specifically written for the project.
"I'll be coming full circle with this project", Brokop says. " When I first started singing, I would sing some of Patsy's song because I didn't have my own. They are still among some of my favorites today and I am so excited to have the opportunity to honor this amazing lady and the incredible music she gave us!"
Stay tuned for tour dates and a new album in the coming months...