
Brett Barest
When I first met Brooks Dixon back in 2015, he was a recent Clemson graduate, young engineer, and singer/songwriter who was honing his skills as a solo artist around the Upstate. He was a seasoned veteran of Clemson’s Moe Joe Coffee and had just played his first festival by opening up the Albino Skunk Music Festival in Greer. I knew then that he was an artist I would be paying attention to for a while and, well, here I am more than five years later doing just that.
An accomplished and inspired songwriter, Brooks Dixon now has three EP’s as well as 2019’s Pocketful of Dreams which was nominated for Best Album at the inaugural Upstate Music Awards earlier this year. Back when shows were a regular thing, he could still be found doing his solo thing but, also, leading his own five piece ensemble The Brooks Dixon Band. Given how much of himself he has dedicated to his journey and just how many different bands he has shared stages with, I am long overdue in asking him which artists on the local scene he enjoys the most. I expected a talented batch of artists and, as usual, Brooks’ list did not disappoint. Here is what he had to say…
Nathan Angelo
Brooks Dixon says: “I was fortunate to meet Nathan early on after moving back home post college. Love his voice, and songwriting especially. Nathan actually helped produce some on our latest album.”
My Girl My Whiskey and Me
Brooks Dixon says: “Some of my oldest musician friends in town, love their sound, energy, and their chemistry.”
Lisa Stubbs/Mourning Dove
Brooks Dixon says: “I was first exposed to Lisa by herself when I hosted a songwriters in the round at Moe Joe Coffee, and I absolutely adore Lisa’s voice and writing”

Jacob Johnson
Brooks Dixon says: “Jacob’s playing and overall persona captured me the first time I saw him play. I feel pretty cool saying he’s my friend and that he performed at my wedding rehearsal dinner.”
Rush Morgan
“Rush and I go way back, and it’s been so fun to see him evolve as a performer, songwriter, and downright solid guitarist. That dude just loves to be playing music.”
Finally, in the unlikely event you have not listened to Brooks Dixon himself, now is the time to remedy that. All of his releases are available on Spotify, from his independently recorded and released Stone Pile EP from 2014 to his most recent Pocketful of Dreams, and everything in between. Even better, as I am typing this I just received a notification that the full band will be on the outside stage at Quest Brewing on Thursday, September 10. Study up on five years of great music (and counting) and get ready to head outside for a Brooks Dixon show and a craft brew in just a few weeks. Lord knows we have earned it.
More Articles in the Artist Picking Artists Series
- Artists Picking Artists: Brooks Dixon
- Artists Picking Artists (Sort Of) With Brett Barest
- Artists Picking Artists: The Old Earthquake’s Steven Cathcart
- Artists Picking Artists: Salti Ray
- Artists Picking Artists: Kelly Jo of Phat Lip
- Artists Picking Artists: Dr. LuvBeatz
- Artists Picking Artists: Vilai Harrington
- Artists Picking Artists: Jon Rasmussen
- Artists Picking Artists: John Durham
- Artists Picking Artists: Pauley Francisco AKA $hiva
Upstate Live Music Calendar
- Wednesday
02-24-2021
Chris Wayne at DRAY: Bar and Grill
5:30pm02-24-2021
Live Karaoke at Smileys
7:30pm02-24-2021
Zac Kellum at Sweet Sippin
7pm02-24-2021
Chris Wayne at DRAY: Bar and Grill
5:30pm02-24-2021
Karl Lauber at Reubens Food Sports Spirits
6:30pm02-24-2021
Tony Slaugher at Golden Grove Farm and Brew
8pm- Thursday
02-25-2021
Karaoke at Ollies Tavern
9pm02-25-2021
Open Mic at Moe Joe Coffee Clemson
7pm02-25-2021
Jason Davis at The Tasting Room
6pm02-25-2021
Jack Greer at Warehouse at Vaughns
6pm02-25-2021
Quasi Quasar at Smileys
7:30pm02-25-2021
Karaoke at Craft and Barrel
7pm02-25-2021
Grateful Dead Night at Pour Taproom: Greenville
8pm02-25-2021
Mark Humphries at DRAY: Bar and Grill
5:30pm02-25-2021
Live Jazz at Topsoil Kitchen and Market
6:30-8:30pm02-25-2021
Karl Lauber at Luna Rosa Mauldin
6:30pm02-25-2021
Chris Wayne at WineXpress
5pm- Friday
02-26-2021
Randomonium at The Radio Room
7pm02-26-2021
LC Branch at Wandering Bard Meadery
6pm02-26-2021
James Tucker at Quest Brewing Company
7pm02-26-2021
Soil at Wild Wings Anderson
7pm02-26-2021
Twisted Trail at Dugout Sports Lounge
6pm02-26-2021
Sera and Seth at Fireforge Crafted Beer
7pm02-26-2021
Drew Horton at Smileys
5pm02-26-2021
J-E-T at Smileys
7:30pm02-26-2021
Alyce Drive at Craft and Barrel
8pm02-26-2021
Steve Nadeau at DRAY: Bar and Grill
6:30pm02-26-2021
Barnyard Stompers at Gottrocks
8pm02-26-2021
Live Jazz at Topsoil Kitchen and Market
6:30-8:3002-26-2021
Karl Lauber at Pub Blue
6:30pm02-26-2021
Ricky Roles at Slice Of Brooklyn Pizza Cafe
6:30pm02-26-2021
Funcle at Tip It Back
7pm02-26-2021
Rob Seel at Eastside Bar and Grill
7pm02-26-2021
Mojo Katz at Hideout Bar
8pm02-26-2021
Lyn Avenue at Gather GVL
5:30pm- Saturday
02-27-2021
Charles Hedgepath at Pour Taproom: Greenville
8pm02-27-2021
Chris Wayne at Mountain Brook Vineyards
3-6pm02-27-2021
The Soulfeathers at Fireforge Crafted Beer
6:30pm02-27-2021
Maddie Starks at Smileys
5pm02-27-2021
Sterling Waite at Smileys
7:30pm02-27-2021
Widow Lake at Craft and Barrel
8pm02-27-2021
Mark Webb Jr at Appalachian Ale House
8pm02-27-2021
Marc Higgins at DRAY: Bar and Grill
6:30pm02-27-2021
Live DJ at Aloft Greenvlle
6-9pm02-27-2021
Chris Wayne at Mountain Brook Vineyards
3-6pm02-27-2021
Live Jazz at Topsoil Kitchen and Market
6:30-8:30pm02-27-2021
Neon Arcadia at Gottrocks
8pm02-27-2021
Karl Lauber at Hoppin GVL
7:30pm- Sunday
02-28-2021
Stop Light Observations at The Radio Room
8pm02-28-2021
Simple Syrup at Smileys
6pm02-28-2021
Twin Sons at Mountain Brook Vineyards
2-5pm02-28-2021
Live Jazz at Topsoil Kitchen and Market
6:30-8:30pm02-28-2021
Karl Lauber at Chicora Alley Fire House
12-3pm02-28-2021
The Away Team at Gather GVL
1:30pm- Monday
03-01-2021
Open Mic at Growler Haus Fountain Inn
7:30pm03-01-2021
Spencer Rush at DRAY: Bar and Grill
5:30pm03-01-2021
Open Mic at Carolina Bauernhaus Ales
6-9pm
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