Brad Douglas Paisley (born October 28, 1972 in
Glen Dale, West Virginia) is an American
country music singer-songwriter and guitarist.
Starting with the release of his 1999 album Who Needs Pictures, Brad has
recorded five studio albums and a Christmas compilation on the Arista Nashville label,
with all of his albums certified gold or higher by the RIAA[1].
In addition, he has charted eighteen singles on the U.S. Billboard
Hot Country Songs charts, nine of which have reached Number One.
Biography
Early Years
Paisley has stated that his love of country music stems from his maternal grandfather, who gave Paisley his first guitar at
age eight and taught him how to play. At age twelve Paisley wrote his first song, and by age thirteen, he was an opening act for
country singers such as Ricky Skaggs and George Jones
at the Capital Music Hall in Wheeling, West Virginia.
Paisley graduated from John Marshall High School in Glen
Dale, West Virginia [2], studied briefly at West Liberty
State College (WV), and later was awarded a full-paid ASCAP scholarship to Belmont
University in Nashville, Tennessee (from
1993 to 1995). While in college, he met Frank Rogers, a fellow
student who went on to serve as his producer. Paisley also met Kelley Lovelace, who became his songwriting partner.
After graduating from Belmont, Paisley signed a songwriting contract with EMI Music Publishing and he wrote David Kersh's top 5 hit, "Another You", as well as cuts by Tracy
Byrd and David Ball.
1999-2001: Who Needs Pictures & Rise to Fame
His debut as a singer was with the label Arista Nashville, with the song, "Who Needs Pictures" (released February 22, 1999). In May of that same year, he made his first appearance on
the Grand Ole Opry[3]. Seven months later he had his first #1 hit with, "He Didn't
Have to Be", which detailed the story of Lovelace and Lovelace's stepson.
In 2000, Paisley was exposed to his first national non-country music oriented audience when
producer, Todd Baker, tapped him to appear on the TLC special, "Route 66: Main Street America". This show featured Paisley and band doing rare live and
acoustic versions of Route 66. The international and home video versions of this program
end with a full, un-cut acoustic rendition of the piece, which was performed live on Rainbow Bridge in Riverton, KS.
Later in 2000, Paisley won the Country Music Association's (CMA) Horizon
Award and the Academy of Country Music's best new male vocalist trophy. He received his first Grammy Award nomination a year later. On February 17, 2001, Paisley was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry[4].
2001-2003: Part II & Beginning of Stardom
In 2002, he won the CMA Music Video of the Year for "I'm Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin' Song)."
Several celebrities made notable guest appearances in the video, including Little Jimmy
Dickens, Kimberly Williams, Dan Patrick,
and Jerry Springer.
2003-2005: Mud on The Tires
Paisley released his third album, Mud on the Tires (2003), following Who Needs Pictures and Part II. The
album features the hit song "Celebrity," the video of which parodies reality shows such as Fear
Factor and American Idol and included such celebrities as
Jason Alexander, Jim Belushi, Little Jimmy Dickens, Trista Rehn, and William Shatner. The album's title track, "Mud on the Tires," reached Billboard #1 in 2004. Brenda Best
of Nashville became infamous as the "Mudgirl" in Brad Paisley's "Mud on Tires"
video.[5]
2005-2007: Time Well Wasted
In 2005, after touring with Reba McEntire and Terri
Clark on the critically acclaimed "Two Hats and a Redhead Tour," he released Time Well Wasted, containing 15
tracks. This album includes "Alcohol", two duets - "When I Get Where I'm Going" with Dolly Parton and "Out
in the Parking Lot" with Alan Jackson - and a bonus track, "Cornography". On
November 6, 2006, the album "Time Well Wasted" won the
Country Music Association CMA Award for Best Album.
Paisley also contributed two original songs to the Disney film Cars. These can be found
on the film's soundtrack. This was in recognition of his contribution to the "Route
66: Main Street America" television special.
2007-Present: 5th Gear & Bonfires & Amplifiers Tour
Paisley's newest album, 5th Gear, was released in the United States on June 19,
2007. "Ticks" was the first single from the album, and
quickly rose to #1 on the country music singles charts. The second single from the album, "Online", just recently hit #1.
He is currently on tour with opening acts, Taylor Swift and Rodney Atkins on the Bonfires & Amplifiers Tour and recently shot another video for "Letter to Me" in
his hometown of Glen Dale, WV. He invited his graduating class back to participate in the making of the video. "Letter To Me"
debuted this week (week of Oct 15) on the "Radio and Records"[6] chart at #60.
Starting In January 2008, he will be touring with Rodney Atkins and Chuck Wicks.
Personal life
Paisley performing in 2006.
In 2000, Paisley began dating actress Kimberly Williams, on whom he'd had a crush
since watching the 1991 movie Father of the
Bride. The two married on March 15, 2003; they live in
Franklin, Tennessee with another home in Malibu. They have a son, William Huckleberry Paisley, born February
22, 2007.[7]
Paisley, a 32nd degree Mason,[8] owns a Learjet 45 and approximately 80 acres in Williamson County just outside of Franklin,
TN.[9]
Paisley uses custom made Crook Telecaster Guitars and Dr. Z Amplifiers for his signature sound.[10]
Paisley is also known for creating animated videos to accompany his songs during concerts and tours.
Discography
- For a list of singles and albums, see Brad Paisley discography.
Awards
- Academy of Country Music
- 1999 - Top New Male Vocalist
- 2004 - Vocal Event of the Year ("Whiskey Lullaby")
- 2004 - Video of the Year ("Whiskey Lullaby")
- 2005 - Album of the Year (Time Well Wasted)
- 2005 - Vocal Event of the Year ("When I Get Where I'm Going")
- 2005 - Video of the Year ("When I Get Where I'm Going")
- 2006 - Top Male Vocalist
- Country Music Association Awards
- 2000 - Horizon Award
- 2001 - Vocal Event of the Year ("Too Country")
- 2002 - Music Video of the Year ("I'm Gonna Miss Her")
- 2004 - Musical Event of the Year ("Whiskey Lullaby")
- 2004 - Music Video of the Year ("Whiskey Lullaby")
- 2006 - Album of the Year (Time Well Wasted)
- 2006 - Musical Event of the Year ("When I Get Where I'm Going")
- Country Weekly Presents the TNN Music Awards
- 2000 - The Discovery Award
- 2000 - Song of the Year ("He Didn't Have to Be")
- 2000 - CMT Music Video of the Year ("He Didn't Have to Be")
- CMT Music Awards
- 2002 - Concept Video of the Year ("I'm Gonna Miss Her")
- 2005 - Collaborative Video of the Year ("Whiskey Lullaby")
- 2006 - Most Inspiring Video of the Year ("When I Get Where I'm Going")
References
External links
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