Director Brooks or singer Tillis (3)
I believe the answer is:
mel
This clue is a double definition.
'director brooks' is the first definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'singer tillis' is the second definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
(Other definitions for mel that I've seen before include "- - Gibson (actor)" , "-- Brooks, film director" , "Honey" .)