Mack Franklin Brooks

Born: July.3, 1902

Died: June 3, 1966

Nickname: "T Model"

(Not the brother of Guy and Lawn Brooks)

Married Gladys Virginia Edwards, Feb 19, 1935

Grew up in a family of musicians, he and his sibling all played music

Began playing as a very young boy

Played clawhammer banjo and fiddle, but fiddle was his favorite

Played at the "first" fiddlers convention in Galax with Paul Miles, Wade Miles, and Cliff Evans

Played a Japanese fiddle (made in Nipon)

Played with Paul Miles, Wade Miles, Sam Halbrook, Cliff Evans, Bob Caudill, Don Irwin, Howard Joines, Wayne Todd, Wilson Ramey

Played at the Sparta VFW

Played at each other's and dances

Went to West VA and worked in the mines as a young man

Worked in the sawmill business with his father Wood Edwards

Gave the wood for the benches at Woodruff Church

Owned a farm, sold milk and cream

Owned a store off the parkway with groceries, gas, and a couple of rental cabins

Store had a jukebox with dancing at the store

Mack was always full of fun

Funny story: One day a car pulled off the parkway at the store with Pennsylvania license plates. They stepped out of their car and asked where all the hillbillies were. Mack, without cracking a smile, said they were up in Pennsylvania teaching school."

Loved to bowl

Summary of Interview with Maxine Brooks Fender, daughter of Mack June 1, 2014

Mack Brooks and daughter Maxine at their store where the Parkway crosses Shawtown Rd.

Mack in the middle. Fiddle contest at the Twin Oaks Drive-in.