Brad Paisley: Humble Heartthrob
Tonya Parker Morrison
July 25, 2005
"To see my family and friends a bit more and just relax," the Glen Dale, West Virginia native says without pause.
Given Paisley's hectic schedule, his wish for a bit of down time makes perfect sense. After all, he's one of the fortunate few in Music City to actually work regularly and receive recognition even before he had a record deal.
Growing up, it was Paisley's grandfather who was probably his biggest musical influence. Not only did he buy the youngster his first guitar, but it was grandpa's jam sessions that brought the aspiring musician running - literally.
As much as the then eight-year-old loved going down the road to his grandparents' place in their tiny Ohio River town to hear some skillful pickin', Paisley didn't especially want to follow in his footsteps right away. Sure, he dug the sounds of the Merle Travis, Chet Atkins and Les Paul that he heard wafting down the old country road - but he was just a kid after all.
"Yeah, I admit that at first, I kinda wanted to be out doing the other things that boys that age enjoy - you know, playing ball, running around and spending time with friends. Staying at home all the time practicing alone on the guitar just didn't seem that great to me."
Over the next two years, the guitar became somewhat of an obsession for him; when he wasn't playing it, he wanted to play it and when he was playing it, he was already thinking about when he would play it again.
He began performing at church in his small hometown, something that he said helped him immensely because everyone was so supportive of him right from the start. It wasn't long after that he became a staple of the community's social gatherings, playing at parties, club meeting and anyplace else they needed background music.
When he was 12, he wrote his first song called "Born on Christmas Day." He set out to form a band to back him up, utilizing the kindness of his guitar teacher Clarence "Hank" Goddard and a few of Hank's friends to put together Brad Paisley & The C-Notes. Though they were several decades older than the youthful singer (his friends ribbed him over the 'C-Niles'), their experience, patience and encouragement did more for Paisley than anyone his age ever could.
"No matter what came out of my mouth or that guitar, out of tune or just plain off key, they were back there telling me what a great job I was doing. It was just what I needed then. If it hadn't been for Hank and the guys, I wouldn't be here today."
Soon, the group was being scouted by local talent seekers, including radio station heavy Tom Miller, who offered Paisley a guest shot on the legendary Jamboree USA, THE biggest country music live show around at the time.
After his initial gig floored the audience and other musicians, Paisley spent eight glorious years honing his honky tonk on the show, even warming the bench backstage when he wasn't featured. He watched veteran performers like George Jones roll out one incredible show after another and learned more than he could have ever hoped for.
"It was an atypical way to grow up, I know," he acknowledges.
"But when you are thrust into that world early on, it really feels like that's the way everyone lives. I guess if I hadn't thought that, it would have definitely gone to my head."
By the time he released his debut, Who Needs Pictures, Paisley was what he deemed "broken in enough" to nail a number one single off his very first effort, "He Didn't Have to Be." The album went platinum and a slew of awards - Country Music Association's Horizon Award, Academy of Country Music's Best New Male Vocalist, etc - proved he was on the right track.
"It has been the most gratifying thing in the world, to know what you want to do and be able to do it with the support of all the people you care about the most. To this day, every single night I go out on that stage with those lights blaring and the crowd screaming, I still smile and think to myself 'You are one lucky guy'."
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