His family was Jewish and originally from Russia, having changed their surname to Brooks from Bruch.
He wrote lyrics of many popular songs, including "Ole Buttermilk Sky" (with Hoagy Carmichael) "That's Amore" (with Harry Warren)[1] and "(Roll Along) Wagon Train" (with Sammy Fain) the second theme used on the television program, Wagon Train.
He joined the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) in 1946.
"Ole Buttermilk Sky" was written for the 1946 film Canyon Passage, and was sung by Carmichael in the movie.
[1] Brooks also wrote the lyrics for many songs in movies, such as "Let Me Be a People" and "Turn It On" in comedian Jerry Lewis' film, Cinderfella (1960).