Brad Paisley Tickets

About Brad Paisley

If ever circumstances conspired to create an all-around country entertainer, the result is surely Brad Paisley. Who Needs Pictures, Paisley's debut album for Arista Records/Nashville, is marked by a prodigy's freshness of sound and a veteran's instinct for emotional truths. Paisley wrote or co-wrote every song. He plays all the guitar parts as well. "If I had to pick a phrase that embodies the whole album," he ventures; it would be 'laughter through tears.' That's the feeling you get when you hear these songs; there's a little wink of humor along with the seriousness." Some of them may make you laugh out loud-like "Me Neither" or "It Never Woulda Worked Out Anyway." But there are others-like "Who Needs Pictures" and "He Didn't Have To Be"-that might bring you to tears.

b. 28 October 1972, Glen Dale, West Virginia, USA. This mainstream country artist's talent was apparent from an early age. Before becoming a teenager Paisley was singing in his local church, and playing alongside his guitar teacher Clarence "Hank" Goddard in the four-piece Brad Paisley And The C-Notes. He regularly appeared on the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree radio program as a teenager, and also performed alongside country stars at the show's outdoor festivals. Paisley attended West Liberty College in West Virginia before transferring to Belmont University in Nashville, where he majored in Music Business. He also made valuable connections during his college internship at the performing rights association, ASCAP. Shortly after he graduated Paisley signed a songwriting deal with EMI Music Publishing, and a recording contract with Arista Records was not long in following. His 1999 debut, Who Needs Pictures, included the hit title track and "Me Neither", a slyly humorous tale of bar room rejection which demonstrated Paisley's lyrical abilities. The album was also distinguished from other Nashville products by the singer's adept guitar work.

Paisley has a bit more going for him than your average Nashville molded hunk-in-a-hat. Before moving to Nashville, Paisely was a teenage phenomenon in his native West Virginia. As he led a country band, Paisley sang in a mature voice and played wicked, Bakersfield Country-influenced lead guitar. When he got to Nashville, he quickly nailed a publishing deal, which in turn led to a recording contract. Paisley wrote or co-wrote every song and played lead guitar on his debut Who Needs Pictures. Since its 1999 release, the disc has gone multi-platinum and Paisley has ascended to the upper reaches of the New Country firmament.