Brad Paisley was recently at Neon Nights, and we were all reminded just how terrific he is. Paisley is and has been one of the best talents and characters we've had in country music in a long time. In addition to his long line of big hits, he's a personality, a celebrity, a songwriter, and a sensational ambassador for country music in every way possible.
Big Song - Still Loved
It's always good to see a legend still making great music and entertaining fans. BP hit the charts in 2000 with the album, Who Needs Pictures. It was clear that he was versatile and capable doing great things. The singles ranged from the very poignant, to the funny and even silly. A rare combination. It also was established early that he was a sparkling entertainer and fantastic guitar player. I have featured him in my Guitarists Series, as he is clearly one of Nashville's, or heck anyone's best stringed instrument players. His second single was the one that really got him noticed by peers and fans, He Didn't Have To Be. A remarkably perfect song speaking and honoring step fathers everywhere, stepping up and being a real dads. Terrific song.
Big Number 1
We Danced was also a great song loved by fans and the debut album was in the books with 2 #1 songs, and a million sold. In fact 5 of his first 6 albums all million sellers which is no small feat. Many of them multi-platinum. Where BP really hit his stride was between 2004 and 2011. In those years from various albums, he rattled off 15 #1 songs including 10 in a row, with the only exception being the song, Alcohol that went to #4, and a pair of #2 songs. It was quite a run. In all, Paisley has sold about 14 million albums, and has 21 number ones.
Fans Loved This Song
But the songs are only a part the BP story. Paisley is loved for being - Paisley. He successfully hosted the CMA Awards program for many years to rave reviews. He's won 14 CMA Awards, 14 ACM's, Grammy's and numerous American Music Awards, and is a member of the Grand Ol' Opry. He's a graduate of Nashville's esteemed Belmont University and is a prolific songwriter penning songs for others before his own singles came out. He plays an incredible about of instruments, Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Dobro, and Banjo, and that puts in the class of Barbara Mandrell in that regard. He is also a real entertainer like Mandrell was.
Legend Is He Recorded Some 30 Guitar Parts On This Song
You may know him from the Insurance TV commercials with Peyton Manning, or from his numerous TV appearances elsewhere. But to me, the real beauty of Paisley that goes well beyond the singles, the albums, the TV shows and awards is this. He is without question the best ambassador we have for Country Music in general. He's in the same conversation as Marty Stewart and Alan Jackson in that regard. He loves country, and he's darn good for it all the way around. He knows the roots and the history and makes that clear. And his philanthropic endeavors are amazing.
My Favorite Paisley Song
Few artists have been as overall loved as Paisley. We just flat out like him, and all that is him. The believe his music, we love his incredible humor and marvel at his insane talent. Few artists have had as many fans pulling for an artist as Paisley has. He came in on the back side of the most incredible decade we had, the 1990's, and kept the momentum going with what looked like great ease. He is a very important artist in our history, because as the 90's closed, he and a few other traditionalists kept country going strong and on the front burner well into this new century, and that was no small feat.
With Dolly
We owe Brad Paisley a whole lot. He is a Mega Star in every single regard. He's the sheer definition of one.
With Alabama
