Brad Paisley Biography

Brad Paisley was born in 1972 in Glen Dale, West Virginia. His grandfather gave him his first guitar when he was only eight years old, and by the time he was ten, Brad was seeking out opportunities to perform wherever possible. Paisley formed his first band when he was only thirteen, and a performance at the local Rotary Club brought his talents to the attention of a local radio station. The radio station’s associations led to gigs for Paisley opening up for a variety of high profile performers, including The Judds and George Jones, for nearly a decade.

Eventually, Brad Paisley pursued a degree in music business, graduating from Belmont University in 1995. An internship at Atlantic Records brought him even closer to the essential contacts that would eventually launch his own career, and in 1999 his debut album, Who Needs Pictures, was finally released. Since that time, Brad Paisley has released a series of highly successful albums, including: Part II (2001), Mud on the Tires (2003), Time Well Wasted (2005), Brad Paisley Christmas (2006), 5^th Gear (2007), Play (2008), American Saturday Night (2009), and This is Country Music (2011.) The albums gave audiences the singles “He Didn’t Have to Be,” “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song),” “I Wish You’d Stay,” “Wrapped Around,” and “Two People Fell in Love,” “Celebrity,” “Mud on the Tires,” “Whiskey Lullaby,” “Alcohol,” “When I Get Where I’m Going,” “Out in the Parking Lot,” “Ticks,” “Online,” “Letter to Me,” “I’m Still a Guy,” “Waitin’ on a Woman,” “Old Alabama,” and “Remind Me.”

Brad Paisley is known for his extensive and nearly constant tour schedule, alongside his band, which consists of musicians Gary Hooker, Randle Currie, Kendal Marcy, Justin Williamson, Kenny Lewis, and Ben Sesar. For his music, Paisley has accumulated a staggering number of music award nominations and wins, including Male Vocalist of the Year from both the CMA and ACM in 2008. He has also won: the Entertainer of the Year Award in 2010 at the CMA Awards; a Grammy for Best Male Vocal Performance in 2009; and American Music Awards for Favorite Country Male Artist in 2008 and again in 2010. Of his seven studio albums, all of them have certified gold or higher, and collectively they have spawned eighteen number one hits.

Most recently, Brad Paisley released the album Wheelhouse in 2013, featuring the singles “Southern Comfort Zone” and “Beat this Summer.”