Born in Florida with a close proximity to the beach, up-and-coming singer/songwriter Brooke Hummel now calls the countryside of Blowing Rock, North Carolina home. Her silky voice heard through her latest tracks “Cruel” and “Favorite Song” are only outdone by her commitment to bullying awareness.

— — —

Chris Remmers: Let’s start with you telling us a little bit about where you’re from. How did you get your start in music?

Brooke Hummel: I was born in Ocala, Florida. Then when I was around two we moved down to the Clearwater area. My dad took us to church every single Sunday at Saint Jerome’s Catholic Church. There was an adult choir at that time and I loved to sing. So, I approached the group praying they were going to let this thirteen-year-old girl sing. They said, “Oh yeah, sure!” Then I got up there they actually did enjoy my voice and my sound. I sang with them for a while and found that that was what I wanted to do. I then started posting videos on YouTube. It all sort of took off from there.

Photo courtesy | David Thomas

CR: That is remarkable! What a wonderful way to start your career. What along your journey so far has left the most memorable mark?

BH: I think it’s the way people who didn’t ever really talk to me, have started talking to me now. There are people who interact with me now that I don’t really think ever would have without this sort of base of music. It’s just kind of opened my eyes to new genres of people.

CR: Absolutely, fame can really change how people treat you, weather for the right or wrong reasons. That being said, do you have anything currently in the works or any new projects?

BH: Yeah, I just dropped my new song “Cruel”. We just dropped it on iTunes and it just reached 300k plays. It’s only been out for about a week and a half. We actually also just dropped the video which is also doing really well. It’s all very exciting. Along with the music I have also started my anti bullying platform called Stop Block Tell. You can find out more information on that there. I was really bullied a lot when I was younger and as I gain this power, as I gain this fan base, I thought I should really use my powers for good. That’s a large project I’m working on currently.

CR: That is just such a wonderful thing to hear! I know a lot of kids today are struggling with both in-school and online bullying. I think it’s something that really needs to stop. It’s an amazing thing you are doing for kids everywhere and my hat is off to you. Keep changing the world! If you could perform anywhere, where would give you that feeling of “I’ve made it”?

BH: You know it’s strange. I have thought about this a lot. No one has ever asked me that question. so I’m so glad you just did! I feel like a lot of people would say, “Oh, Madison Square Garden”, or “Time Square”, but for me I have this vision of preforming on a beach. For some reason I feel if I could perform on a beach full of people that would be it for me.

CR: Do you have any specific beach in mind or just any beach?

BH: I think, because I live near Clearwater Beach, I would say Clearwater Beach. It’s strange, but a beach setting with all of my fans and then afterword’s have a fun time at the beach. I just feel like it would be an amazing time.

Photo courtesy | David Leavitt

CR: I cannot say that I am far off from you. The beach is one of my favorite places as well. How many places since the start of your career have you traveled to in the United States?

BH: When I was living in North Carolina I would travel a lot locally with my mom and dad. I appreciate them so much for being my personal taxi! They really support me. I don’t really know how many times I have traveled around the US.

CR: Have there been any shows that have stuck out in your mind?

BH: I actually preformed at the Girls World Expo. It’s pretty much promoting what it’s like growing up as a young girl. It’s really a bunch of strong teenage and adult women influences that go out to conventions and travel all around to empower women’s lives. Everyone is there to support one another and help one another keep on doing positive things. I met some women at this expo and they had invited me out. It was actually the first time I had ever preformed a new song before it was released. That was just amazing. The reaction to the song by the crowd was just breathtaking. Bullying is a problem a lot of young women go through and this song was dedicated to that. I would say that was my favorite venue so far.

Photo courtesy | Christopher Chan

CR: That sounds like such an empowering experience! When it comes to vacation, would you say you’re a hardcore beachgoer? Or are you more looking to explore cities more?

BH: You know, because I have lived in North Carolina I have loved the mountains, but now, because I live [in Florida] I love the beach. One place I really want to go to would be New Zealand. One of my best friends has gone and she says you can drive two minutes and be in the forested mountains, or you can drive two minutes and could end up directly on the beach.

CR: That is awesome I have heard so many great things about New Zealand too. You’ve told me one amazing place. What are some others that you still have to hit?

BH: I really want to go to South Africa, because I am partnering with Metro Kids Africa. This is aside from my music career. This is on my own. I actually have a pen pal that I write to every week. She’s amazing. I’d love to go to visit her. She’s in an orphanage. I think it would be great to do community work with an orphanage where kids need love the most.

Photo courtesy | Neil Howard

CR: That is incredible. That is really an amazing thing you are doing and I wish you the best of luck! Speaking of travel, how do music and travel fit together in your life?

BH: Whether I’m on a plane or in a car I like to use my travels as a source of writing. No matter where you’re going you have different vibes. When I’m creating a song it’s nice to say to my producer, “I’m feeling this way, this is what I’m looking for.” He then makes it happen. It’s safe to say that most of my inspiration comes from my travels and I can put it in my music.

— — —

For more on Brooke Hummel check out her music on iTunes:

If you or someone you know is a victim of cyber bullying go to Stop Block Tell for instructions on how to help: