Star Treatment
Brad Paisley says his recent
success in Country Music
hasn't changed him
All-star cast will feature Travis Tritt,
Diamond Rio, Lonestar and many more
By Ruth Wright
Staff Writer
(June 2003) – Brad Paisley may be a big country music star, but he still likes to mow his own lawn and wash his own car. “When I have time, those are things I do,” Paisley said in a May 22 interview. “It’s funny, the things that become fun when you do this for a living,” he said.
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Paisley will join an all-star cast of Country Music’s finest at the three-day Country Stampede, June 6-8 at the Kentucky Speedway. Paisley is scheduled to take the stage at 7:15 p.m. on Saturday, June 7. It is a familiar place to him since he performed there as the premier entertainer during the June 2001 race weekend in Sparta prior to the NASCAR Busch Series event.
Paisley has been making his living as an entertainer for a while and has been in the spotlight for even longer. At age 12, the Glen Dale, W.Va., native began performing on WWVA radio in Wheeling, W.Va., and at 14 he began performing in the “Jamboree in the Hills” music festival, which attracts more than 60,000 country music fans each year.
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At age 20, Paisley moved to Nashville, Tenn., where he attended Belmont University majoring in music business. There, he met Frank Rogers, and the two students began working on songs together. One week after graduating from Belmont, Paisley signed a song writing deal with EMI and began recording demos around town. His first recording contract came shortly afterward with Arista Nashville, and in May 1999, Paisley released his debut album, “Who Needs Pictures.”
The album produced two No. 1 hits, including Paisley’s first, “He Didn’t Have To Be,” and “We Danced,” both of which he wrote. Paisley went on to garner the Academy of Country Music’s “Top New Male Artist” award in May 2000. That October, he tied Faith Hill for most nominations at the Country Music Association Awards. In February 2001 at age 28, Paisley achieved his life-time goal of induction into country music’s cornerstone, the Grand Ole Opry.
Paisley said his celebrity status hasn’t affected him too much, contrary to the lyrics of his latest single, appropriately titled, “Celebrity.” The tongue-in-cheek tune pokes fun at what fame means. “If you get famous these days, you can be the biggest idiot,” Paisley said of his inspiration for his song, which mocks outrageous behavior sometimes exhibited by the rich and famous.
Fortunately, said Paisley, the song doesn’t reflect his own life. “I have nothing but good experiences so far to talk about,” said Paisley, insisting that he still feels “normal.”
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Paisley’s previous hit, “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song),” reflects his ability to look at the humorous side of things. But in real life, Paisley would gladly give up fishing to be with his wife, actress Kimberly Williams. He recently skipped the Academy of Country Music Awards, held in Las Vegas, Nev., to join Williams for a short rendezvous in Canada, where she is currently working. “I’ve been trying to finish up the album, so I didn’t get to see her much,” he said. Paisley and Williams, star of hit movie “Father of the Bride” and ABC sit-com “According to Jim,” wed on March 15.
Besides recording his next album, scheduled for release July 22, Paisley has been on the road with Brooks & Dunn, opening for the duo’s Neon Circus & Wild West Show tour. Paisley said he has enjoyed the experience. “It’s just been a really nice, laid-back, no-pressure experience,” he said.”
In addition to touring, Paisley has been busy with TV appearances. On April 5, he guest-starred on USA Network’s “Nashville Star,” a country music version of “American Idol,” where singers compete for a recording contract.
“They all had something cool about them,” Paisley said of the contestants. “I really liked how they handled themselves.” Paisley has also made appearances on the May 20 addition of “The Caroline Rhea Show” and the May 22 edition of the Fox Sports Net series, “Best Damn Sports Show Period.”
In between Neon Circus Tour appearances, Paisley will perform on Saturday, June 6, at Kentucky Speedway’s Country Stampede. Paisley said he looks forward to returning to the Kentucky Speedway. “I love that area,” he said.