Brad Paisley

Who Is Brad Paisley?

Brad Paisley, a prominent figure in country music, released his debut album Who Needs Pictures in 1999. The album achieved platinum status, marking the beginning of Paisley’s rise to stardom. In 2000, he was honored with the Academy of Country Music’s Best New Male Vocalist award, and in February 2001, he was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. Over the years, Paisley has garnered numerous Grammy Awards and has consistently topped the country music charts.

Musical Beginnings

Brad Douglas Paisley, a renowned country music singer and songwriter, was born on October 28, 1972, in Glen Dale, West Virginia. His musical journey began at the tender age of 8, when his grandfather gifted him his first guitar. By age 12, Paisley was already performing at church services and civic events, and he had formed his first band, writing and performing his own original material.

Paisley’s talent quickly garnered attention, leading to a regular spot on Jamboree USA, a prominent country music radio show. His popularity on the show resulted in invitations to perform alongside notable acts such as The Judds and Roy Clark.

After completing two years at West Virginia’s West Liberty State College, Paisley transferred to Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. There, he benefited from an American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers scholarship and forged important connections with Frank Rogers and Kelley Lovelace, who would later play significant roles in his career. Just a week after graduating, Paisley secured a songwriting contract with EMI Records. His breakthrough came in 1996 with the hit song “Another You,” which he wrote for David Kersh.

“Who Needs Pictures” and the Rise of Brad Paisley

Brad Paisley made his solo debut with the release of Who Needs Pictures in 1999 after signing with Arista Records. The album’s standout track, “He Didn’t Have to Be,” reached No. 1, followed by another chart-topping hit, “We Danced.” Who Needs Pictures sold over 1 million copies and marked Paisley’s ascent to prominence. In recognition of his talent, the Academy of Country Music (ACM) honored him as the Best New Male Vocalist, and the Country Music Association (CMA) awarded him the Horizon Award.

In February 2001, Paisley was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, further solidifying his place in country music. That year, he also received his first Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist. His subsequent album, Part II (2001), featured the popular single “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishing Song),” which reached No. 1. Additionally, tracks such as “I Wish You’d Stay,” “Wrapped Around,” and “Two People Fell in Love” also made significant impacts on the country charts.

Paisley’s 2003 album, Mud on the Tires, continued his successful trajectory, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard charts. The album’s notable duet with Alison Krauss, “Whiskey Lullaby,” garnered widespread acclaim, with the music video earning several awards and the single reaching No. 3 on the Hot Country charts.

In 2005, Paisley released Time Well Wasted, following his sold-out Two Hats and Redhead Tour with Reba McEntire and Terri Clark. This album featured a collaboration with Dolly Parton on “When I Get Where I’m Going,” which won the CMA Award for Musical Event of the Year in 2006. Time Well Wasted also earned Paisley both ACM and CMA Awards for Best Album. That same year, he undertook a successful tour with Carrie Underwood as his opening act, further cementing his status in the industry.

“5th Gear” and Subsequent Albums

In 2007, Brad Paisley collaborated with Carrie Underwood on the duet “Oh Love” for his album 5th Gear. This release, which ascended to the top of the country album charts, boasted several chart-topping singles, including “Online,” “Letter to Me,” and “I’m Still a Guy.” That same year, Paisley achieved significant accolades, including the ACM Award for Top Male Vocalist and the CMA Award for Male Vocalist of the Year. Additionally, he earned his first Grammy Award for the instrumental track “Throttleneck.”

Paisley’s subsequent album, Play: The Guitar Album, released in November 2008, featured collaborations with prominent musicians such as Keith Urban, Vince Gill, and B.B. King. His duet with Urban garnered a 2008 Entertainer of the Year nomination at the CMAs. Although the duo did not win in this category, Paisley secured the awards for Male Vocalist of the Year and Music Video of the Year. He also made his debut as co-host of the CMAs alongside Carrie Underwood, marking the beginning of a long-standing partnership in hosting the ceremony.

In 2009, Paisley released American Saturday Night, which included the single “Then,” his 14th No. 1 hit. His next studio album, This Is Country Music (2011), featured the duet “Remind Me” with Underwood and a collaboration with the group Alabama on “Old Alabama.”

The 2013 album Wheelhouse was met with controversy due to the song “Accidental Racist,” despite debuting at the top of the Billboard country charts. Paisley addressed a return to more traditional country themes with his 2014 album Moonshine in the Trunk. The summer of 2015 saw Paisley take on the role of mentor for Blake Shelton’s team on Season 9 of The Voice and perform in a concert celebrating the 90th birthday of the Grand Ole Opry, with a documentary release planned for later that year.

In October 2016, Paisley released “Today,” the lead single from his 11th studio album, Love and War. This album featured collaborations with iconic rock artists Mick Jagger and John Fogerty.

Personal Life and Family

Paisley first encountered actress Kimberly Williams in 2001, inspired by the experience to compose a song featuring lyrics about their meeting. Subsequently, he produced a music video for the single, which Williams graciously agreed to appear in. The couple married in 2003, and they welcomed their first child, a son named William Huckleberry, in 2007. Their second son, Jasper Warren Paisley, was born on April 17, 2009.