Brad Paisley

Brad Paisley - Too Country

"I don't know if I'm worthy of torchbearer but I feel proud to be one of the artists that they consider to be on that side of the fence. Because it was my goal setting out. I wanted people to recognize what I did as reminiscent. These (legends) mean everything to me."

In many eyes, Brad Paisley unexpectedly stepped into the limelight of the Nashville country music scene in 1999, but he had already been paying his dues for a decade and a half. A regular of the infamous West Virginia "Jamboree USA" radio show since the age of 12, and a regular performer at the 'Jamboree in the Hills' , Brad's formative years were spent surrounded by the influential music of such greats as George Jones, Roy Clark and Steve Wariner.

Country music continued to be a large part of his life as he transferred to Nashville's Belmont University and achieved a degree from the Music Business Program while serving an internship at ASCAP. One week after graduation Brad signed a songwriting deal with EMI, which eventually brought him to the attention of Arista-Nashville.

The traditional sounds that saturated his debut album were bright rays of hope for disheartened country music fans. "Who Needs Pictures" changed Brad Paisley's life overnight, as he inadvertently became the newest torchbearer for everything traditional. "I don't know if I'm worthy of torchbearer but I feel proud to be one of the artists that they consider to be on that side of the fence. Because it was my goal setting out. I wanted people to recognize what I did as reminiscent. These (legends) mean everything to me."

With his debut album receiving critical acclaim, Brad became the focal point around which traditional country music fans rallied, the unwitting savior that embodied their hopes. On the flipside, 'hot new country' music fans seemed to some how view his instantaneous popularity as a threat, and every word spoken, every accolade achieved, soon became a focus of intense examination.

Considering the past two years alone, Brad Paisley has achieved more than some artists do during their entire career. He garnered nominations from every major award show, earned a spot on the coveted George Strait Country Music Festival tour, and chalked up an impressive string of hit songs, including two Billboard toppers. Most memorable, and in the same breath, controversial, was his February induction into the Grand Ol' Opry family. When the invitation was extended the debates began, accompanied with long lists of others who had been overlooked for years, despite their own long term commitments and dedication to the revered institution. In reality, Brad's long standing allegiance, not only to the Opry but to country music's legacy, stood to demonstrate his own worthiness, not the unworthiness of others. With over 40 Opry performances in 2 years, at a point in his career where tradition could easily be swept aside for higher paying appearances, Brad's loyalty was admirable.

There are those who say that Brad's influence in turning the tides of country music back to a more traditional sound will be in the sales figures his music generates. By industry standards, messages have been hazy in terms of his overall impact. "Who Needs Pictures" was only recently certified platinum, two years after its initial release. His latest offering "Part II", also the recipient of rave reviews and praise, debuted at #3 on Billboard's album chart and quickly fell to #10, losing 1/2 its sales volume in the 2nd week.

The sophomore release was long anticipated. People wondered whether the momentum would continue or fizzle out. Brad himself said he sees the album as an extension of 'Who Needs Pictures', but Part II has enough substance to stand on its own merits. He not only met the challenge of matching the caliber of his premiere release, he upped the ante. There's a healthy dose of Roger Miller-ish humor in the geologically correct 'Two Feet of Topsoil' and the fisherman's anthem "I'm Gonna Miss Her (ironically 'reserved' by Alan Jackson in 1998 bringing Brad to the attention of Arista-Nashville). The soundtrack practically sizzles during the instrumental exploitation of 'Munster Rag', and for good measure and consistency an old time gospel song is included, Old Rugged Cross, recorded live at the Opry, no less. Brad raises the bar by including Darryl Scott's haunting "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive", and the fun, surefire radio hit 'Wrapped Around', a honky-tonker, that unapologetically twangs.

However, it's the rendition of Bill Anderson's 'Too Country', that speaks for Brad and the music he stands for. Joined by Bill, George Jones and Buck Owens, they contemplate the very question that traditional country music fans have been asking for the past few years, 'Too Country, what's that?'

Sales stats and controversies aside, Brad's true impact will be in his music, the doors that it opens to the future and the windows that it opens to the past. 'Too country, what's that?' It's Brad Paisley and he's more than willing to admit it.

June 2001 - Laurie Joulie - Take Country Back

Visit Brad's official site: www.bradpaisley.com

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