11-year-old rocker to play Longbranch Friday

Brooks Paul looks like a mini-Axl Rose. The 11-year-old local rocker is shooting a music video at the Longbranch in Raleigh on Friday.

Posted 5:52 p.m. Jun 6, 2012 — Updated 7:41 p.m. Jun 6, 2012

Kathy Hanrahan

If you ever wondered what a young Axl Rose probably looked like, just take a glance at Brooks Paul.

The 11-year-old from Creedmoor is a classic rocker. With long hair, sunglasses and a bandanna, he looks the part. And he holds his own as a singer among his all adult band. Just look at the YouTube clip below.

The pre-teen plays gigs with his band in North Carolina and Virginia. Recent North Carolina shows have included the Azalea Festival and Deep South the Bar. He performed this past weekend in Rockingham with original Lynyrd Skynyrd member Artimus Pyle.

Friday he will be hitting the Longbranch of Raleigh to play an all-ages show and record a video for his song "Rock This Town Tonight." The doors open at 7 p.m. and the video will be shot around 7:30 p.m., followed by a full concert at 9 p.m. Admission is $5.

Brooks' father, Chuck Ferguson, said this is the first time an 11-year-old has headlined the Longbranch. He said Brooks wanted to film his music video with a local crowd.

"While most venues Brooks Paul plays are 18 and older, this Friday night parents are urged to bring their children to experience the show," Ferguson said. "Brooks is introducing a whole new generation to rock 'n roll. Singing original tunes, as well as songs by Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Journey and Foreigner, this promises to be a fun history making night."

Brooks' first iTunes release is due out this summer. It is being produced and written by Parmalee's Matt Thomas and Barry Knox.

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