Steve Brooks is a folk artist whose humorous edge has earned him recognition as one of the nation’s premier punsters.

The witty guitar player, winner of the recent O. Henry Punoff in Austin, Texas, learned to play from an instructional record by legendary folk singer Pete Seeger. He later had the chance to perform with Seeger in the 80s at an anti-nuclear demonstration.

Playing with Seeger was one of the best experiences of my life, said Brooks.

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Brooks’ music is drawn from many of his life experiences. Dead Poets Society was written about Everette Maddox, who held a poetry reading on Sundays at the Maple Leaf Bar in New Orleans, he said.

He (Maddox) was a brilliant poet, but his life-style was completely self-destructive, said Brooks. That is something a lot of creative writers face.

The song has a mixed message of admiration and sarcasm, he said.

One verse from Dead Poets Society explains this.

Poets dream/Poets drink/Poets live life on the brink/If you ever ask them why/They’ll tell you they don’t have a clue/They’ll tell you/It’s just what poets do.

Brooks’ music is a combination of folk and country. It has the same purity and honesty found in classical country artists such as Hank Williams.

The music is very down-home. It takes a person to the countryside. It reminds one of green grass and the open prairie. The folk sounds give the music a natural feel that leaves the listener with a sense of the outdoors.

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The lyrics are whimsical and serious at the same time. Hurt Me Tonight is a tune that pokes fun of writers trying to create songs about broken relationships. At the same time, Brooks is making a statement of his own hurt in the aftermath of a relationship gone sour.

The chorus says it all:So, won’t you hurt me tonight/Honey, I need to write/Another hard luck love song/I need heartache/And woe/To make my juices flow/You could do me right/If you’d only do me wrong.

Brooks said he enjoys performing at places like Cousin Andy’s, because people pay attention to the music and are not distracted, he said.

People come to listen to the music, he said. As a songwriter, it makes the performance a whole lot of fun. It sure beats playing in a smoky bar, competing with Magic Johnson and Troy Aikman.

Steve Brooks plays at 7:30 tonight at Cousin Andy’s, 402 W. Mill St. Admission is $3.