Country Star Of The Month: Brad Paisley

Brad Paisley is a man of many talents. Known for his singing and guitar playing, obviously he also is an accomplished award show host, seller of insurance, and at home video star with his wife, Kimberly. Brad started his rise to fame at 8 years old when he got a guitar from his grandpa and taught himself to play. He started by playing and singing at church and it made him a bit of a local celebrity. The first song he wrote was called “Born On Christmas Day” and he even had it on on his “Brad Paisley Christmas” album. Brad took lessons from Hank Goddard and they formed a band called Brad Paisley and The C Notes. A local radio program director heard him perform at a rotary club event and asked him to be on the show Jamboree USA where he was the opener for several groups including The Judds, George Jones, and Ricky Skaggs. This was all before he graduated high school in West Virginia!

Brad has had a steady string of hits since 1999. It started with “He Didn’t Have To Be” which chronicles the story of his co-writers step son. In 2000 Brad won the CMA Horizon Award and the ACM’s Best New Male Vocalist award. Brad always has a sense of humor and it shows in his music. In 2001 when he released “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song) he brought it to the forefront with this hit. Later he would sprinkle in a fun loving song like this every so often with hits like “Alcohol”, “Crushin’ It” and most recently “No I In Beer”. The last one as a rallying point during these times of pandemic and self isolation. Through the years it’s this sense of humor that is almost self-deprecating that has kept Brad as one of the most liked artists in Country Music. His stints hosting the CMA’s with Carrie Underwood were legendary as they always had the crowd laughing along. His concerts are one big party with his “Brad” mascot and a bar on stage with fans bellying up to it all show long. “No I In Beer” isn’t just a simple “anthem for now” song as it’s true message is that we all need to recognize those out there working hard all the time not just in times of strife. No matter what, Brad is always going to leave you with a smile on your face.