name	Brad Paisley| image Paisley, Brad (2007) 2.jpg
landscape	yes
background	solo_singer
birth name	Brad Douglas Paisley
birth date	October 28, 1972
origin	Glen Dale, West Virginia,United States
instrument	Vocals, guitar, mandolin
genre	Country, Country Rock
occupation	Singer-songwriter, musician
years active	1997–present
spouse	Kimberly Williams-Paisley
label	Arista Nashville
associated acts	Alison Krauss, Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Martina McBride, Chely Wright, Scotty McCreery
website	BradPaisley.com
notable instruments	Bill Crook TelecastersFender Telecasters }}

Brad Douglas Paisley (born October 28, 1972) is an American singer-songwriter and musician. His style crosses between traditional country music and Southern rock, and his songs are frequently laced with humor and pop culture references.

Paisley was the 2008 CMA and ACM Male Vocalist of the Year winner. Starting with the release of his 1999 album ''Who Needs Pictures'', Paisley has recorded seven studio albums and a Christmas compilation on the Arista Nashville label, with all of his albums certified gold or higher by the RIAA. In addition, he has charted 25 singles on the U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs chart, 16 of which have reached #1 with a record 10 consecutive singles reaching the top spot on the chart. On November 10, 2010, Paisley won the Entertainer of the Year award at the 44th annual CMA Awards.

Biography

Paisley was born on October 28, 1972 in Glen Dale, West Virginia to Douglas Edward "Doug" Paisley, who worked for the West Virginia Department of Transportation, and Sandra Jean "Sandy" (née Jarvis) Paisley, a teacher. He was raised in Glen Dale, West Virginia. He has stated that his love of country music stems from his maternal grandfather, Warren Jarvis, who gave Paisley his first guitar, a Sears Danelectro Silvertone at 8-years-old and taught him how to play. At age 10, he performed for the first time in public by singing in his church. He later recalled that, "Pretty soon, I was performing at every Christmas party and Mother's Day event. The neat thing about a small town is that when you want to be an artist, by golly, they'll make you one".

Paisley graduated from John Marshall High School in Glen Dale, West Virginia in 1991, studied for 2 years at West Liberty University (WV) and later was awarded a full-paid ASCAP scholarship to Belmont University, in Nashville, Tennessee (from 1993 to 1995). He interned at ASCAP, Atlantic Records, and the Fitzgerald-Hartley management firm. While in college, he met Frank Rogers, a fellow student who went on to serve as his producer. Paisley also met Kelley Lovelace, who became his songwriting partner. He also met Chris DuBois in college, and he too would write songs for him.

1999–2001: ''Who Needs Pictures''

His debut as a singer was with the label Arista Nashville, with the song "Who Needs Pictures" (released February 22, 1999). In May of that same year, he made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Seven months later he had his first #1 hit with "He Didn't Have to Be," which detailed the story of Paisley's frequent co-writer Kelley Lovelace and Lovelace's stepson, McCain Merren. ''We Danced'' also was a hit for Paisley off the debut album, reaching #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. By February 2001, the album was certified platinum.

In 2000, Paisley's mainstream notoriety received a huge boost when he was exposed to his first national non-country music oriented audience on the TLC special, "Route 66: Main Street America." Producer, Todd Baker, tapped the young musician to appear on this show when he was a relative unknown outside the world of country music. It featured Paisley and band doing rare live and acoustic versions of Route 66. The international and home video versions of this program end with a full, un-cut acoustic rendition of the piece, which was performed live on Rainbow Bridge in Riverton, KS. The show accurately predicted that Paisley would become a legendary musician, and also featured blues artist, Buddy Guy.

Later in 2000, Paisley won the Country Music Association's (CMA) Horizon Award and the Academy of Country Music's best new male vocalist trophy. He received his first Grammy Award nomination a year later for Best New Artist. On February 17, 2001, Paisley was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry He was 28 when he accepted the invitation, and was the youngest member ever to join. PBS did a 75th anniversary concert special, which saw Paisley pair up with Chely Wright and sing a song called ''Hard to Be a Husband, Hard to Be a Wife'', and would be included on the album ''Backstage at the Opry'', It would get a CMA nomination for Vocal Event of the Year.

2001–2003: ''Part II''

In 2002, he won the CMA Music Video of the Year for "I'm Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin' Song)." Several celebrities made notable guest appearances in the video, including Little Jimmy Dickens, Kimberly Williams, Dan Patrick, and Jerry Springer. His three other singles off the ''Part II'' album, "I Wish You'd Stay", "Wrapped Around", and "Two People Fell in Love", all charted in the top 10. The album stayed in the charts for more than 70 weeks and was certified platinum in August 2002. To support his album, he toured the country as the opening act for Lonestar.

2003–2005: ''Mud on the Tires''

Paisley released his third album, ''Mud on the Tires'' (2003), following ''Who Needs Pictures'' and ''Part II.'' The album features the hit song "Celebrity", the video of which parodies reality shows such as ''Fear Factor'', ''American Idol'', ''The Bachelorette'' and ''According to Jim'', and included such celebrities as Jason Alexander, James Belushi, Little Jimmy Dickens, Trista Rehn and William Shatner. (Paisley later contributed to Shatner's album ''Has Been''.) The album's title track, "Mud on the Tires", reached Billboard #1 in 2004.

In addition, the ninth track from ''Mud on the Tires'', "Whiskey Lullaby", a duet with Alison Krauss reached #3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) charts, and #41 on the Billboard Hot 100. The music video for ''Whiskey Lullaby'' also won several awards and was rated #2 on the 100 Greatest Music Videos by CMT in 2008. The album would be certified double platinum. "Online" featured the Brentwood High School marching band playing toward the end of the song, a cameo by Jason Alexander, and again featured a cameo by William Shatner. ''Throttleneck'' would also reach number one, which would get Paisley his first Grammy.

The fifth single from ''5th Gear'' actually came from a reissued version of the album – a new recording of "Waitin' on a Woman", a track cut from ''Time Well Wasted.'' The reissued version received unsolicited airplay in late 2006, and features less prominent string guitar and violin parts and a more "muted" musical tone. For the chart week of September 20, 2008, the song became Paisley's twelfth number-one single and his eighth straight number-one hit, making him the artist with the most consecutive Number One country hits since the inception of Nielsen SoundScan in 1990.

In July 2006, producer Todd Baker tapped Brad for a television appearance as an animated character in The Wonder Pets, Daddy Armadillo. The yet-to-be-broadcast episode features Brad's wife, Kimberly Williams, as Mama Armadillo.

Paisley toured April 26, 2007 through February 24, 2008 in support of ''5th Gear'' on the Bonfires & Amplifiers Tour. The tour visited 94 cities over a 10 month period and played for over 1,000,000 fans. The tour was so successful that it was extended past its original end date to February 2008. Some of the opening acts who appeared during the tour were Taylor Swift, Kellie Pickler, Jack Ingram, Rodney Atkins and Chuck Wicks.

Paisley was nominated for three 2008 Grammy Awards related to ''5th Gear'': Best Country Album (for ''5th Gear''), Best Country Collaboration (for "Oh Love" with Carrie Underwood), and Best Country Instrumental (for "Throttleneck"). On February 10, 2008, he won his first Grammy award for Best Country Instrumental for "Throttleneck".

In March 2008, Brad Paisley announced his next tour, "The Paisley Party," a 42-date tour sponsored by Hershey's. The tour kicked off on June 11, 2008, in Albuquerque, New Mexico with Chuck Wicks, Julianne Hough and Jewel as the opening acts. Brad Paisley and Keith Urban released to country radio their first duet together on September 8, 2008, "Start a Band." It was the first and only single from ''Play,'' and it went on to become Paisley's thirteenth number one hit and his ninth in a row. The album also features collaborations with James Burton, Little Jimmy Dickens, Vince Gill, John Jorgenson, B.B. King, Albert Lee, Brent Mason, Buck Owens, Redd Volkaert and Steve Wariner. Paisley and Urban both received Entertainer of the Year nominations from the CMA on September 10, 2008. On November 12, 2008 Brad Paisley won Male Vocalist of the Year and Music Video of the Year for "Waitin' on a Woman" during the CMA's.

2009–2010: ''American Saturday Night''

Brad Paisley announced on January 26, 2009 his new tour named "American Saturday Night." Dierks Bentley and Jimmy Wayne will be opening in the majority of the shows. Brad Paisley's newest album, ''American Saturday Night'' was released on June 30, 2009. The album's lead off single, "Then" was released in March 2009 and performed for the first time on ''American Idol'' on March 18. It went on to become Paisley's 14th number one single and his tenth in a row.

On May 6, 2009, Paisley gave an exclusive performance to a small group of members from his fan club in Studio A of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN as he and his band taped an episode of CMT Invitation Only. The show gives fans a chance to see their favorite artists in a more intimate setting up close and personal. There was a Q & A session and interaction between Paisley and his fans. The show aired on Monday, August 3 at 9:00 p.m. on CMT.

On July 21, 2009, Paisley performed at the White House in celebration of country music. "Country Music at the White House " was streamed live on the White House web-site as well as a special on Great American Country.

On November 11, 2009, Paisley co-hosted the CMA Awards for the second straight year. He also performed "Welcome to the Future", and won both Male Vocalist of the Year and Musical Event of the Year for Start a Band with Keith Urban.

On March 1, 2010, Paisley was the first musical performance with "American Saturday Night" for the second tenure of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

On Friday March 5, 2010, Paisley slipped and fell performing his last song of the set, "Alcohol," at a concert at the North Charleston Coliseum in Charleston, South Carolina, on the final date of the American Saturday Night Tour. Fearing a broken rib, he was held overnight at an area hospital, but was released when a CT scan was negative.

On July 31, 2010 Brad performed alongside Carrie Underwood at the inaugural Greenbrier Classic PGA Tour Event in Lewisburg, W.Va. An estimated 60,000 people attended the outdoor event to watch Carrie and Brad perform in the pouring rain.

On August 4, 2010, it was announced on his official website that Paisley would release his first official greatest hits package, entitled ''Hits Alive''. Released on November 2, 2010, ''Hits Alive'' is a double-disc collection, with one disc containing studio versions of Paisley's hit singles, while the companion disc features previously unreleased live versions of his songs.

Brad Paisley cohosted the 44th Annual CMA Awards on November 10, 2010, where he was also awarded the CMA's top award, Entertainer of the Year. During his acceptance speech, Paisley emotionally honored his grandfather, who inspired him to play the guitar.

In 2012, MSN.com listed ''American Saturday Night'' as one of the 21 Essential 21st-Century Albums.

2011-present: ''This Is Country Music''

In December 2010, Paisley released "This Is Country Music" as the title track to his eighth studio album, released May 23, 2011. The album's second single, "Old Alabama" (with Alabama), released to country radio on March 14, 2011 and became Paisley's nineteenth number one hit. "Remind Me," with Carrie Underwood, was released May 23, 2011 to radio.

On March 22, 2011, Paisley's website announced a new beta game titled "Brad Paisley World." The game is modeled after other Facebook games such as Farmville or Mafia Wars and features original animation. The game provides a new way for fans to interact with each other and view exclusive material that would otherwise be unavailable.

On May 12, 2011, Paisley's website announced that he would release two songs on the soundtrack for the film ''Cars 2''. One of them would be a collaboration with British pop singer Robbie Williams.

On October 19, 2011, Paisley made a voice cameo as various background characters in the ''South Park'' episode "Bass to Mouth".

On January 14, 2012, Paisley was a guest on Garrison Keillor's ''Prairie Home Companion'', during which he did a rendition of "Life's Railway to Heaven" by Charles Davis Tillman.

Brad also tweeted that he has started recording his upcoming album.

On April 25, 2012, Paisley was featured on the ''South Park'' episode "Cartman Finds Love", in which he voiced himself, sang "The National Anthem", and helped Cartman sing the 90's hit song "I Swear", which was popularized in 1994 by the country musician John Michael Montgomery and the pop group All-4-One.

Tours

''Brooks & Dunn's Neon Circus & Wild West Show 2003

''Mud & Suds Tour 2004'' (w/ Sara Evans, Andy Griggs)

''Two Hats & A Redhead Tour 2005'' (w/ Reba McEntire, Terri Clark)

''Time Well Wasted Tour 2006'' (w/ Sara Evans, Sugarland, Carrie Underwood, Jake Owen, Josh Turner, Billy Currington)

''Bonfires & Amplifiers Tour 2007–2008'' (w/ Taylor Swift, Jack Ingram, Kellie Pickler, Rodney Atkins, Chuck Wicks)

''The Paisley Party Tour 2008'' (w/ Chuck Wicks, Julianne Hough, Jewel)

''The Paisley Party Tour 2009'' (w/ Dierks Bentley, Darius Rucker, Crystal Shawanda)

''American Saturday Night Tour 2009'' (w/ Dierks Bentley, Jimmy Wayne)

''American Saturday Night Tour 2010'' (w/ Miranda Lambert, Justin Moore)

''The H2O Tour 2010'' (w/ Darius Rucker, Justin Moore, Easton Corbin, Steel Magnolia, Josh Thompson)

''The H2O Frozen Over Tour 2011'' (w/ Darius Rucker, Jerrod Niemann)

''H2O II: Wetter and Wilder World Tour'' (w/ Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Jerrod Niemann, Sunny Sweeney, The JaneDear Girls, Brent Anderson, Edens Edge)

''Virtual Reality Tour 2012'' (w/ The Band Perry, Scotty McCreery)

Band

Paisley records his studio albums, in most part, with the backing of his live band, The Drama Kings. Their first gig together was May 7, 1999. The only changes have been Randel Currie's addition on the steel guitar in 2000 and Jimmy Heffernan's departure in 2001. Also, Jody Harris worked as Paisley's guitar tech until officially becoming a bandmember for the American Saturday Night Tour. As of 2010, the lineup is:

Brad Paisley – lead vocals, lead guitar

Gary Hooker – rhythm guitar

Randle Currie – steel guitar

Kendal Marcy – keyboards, banjo, mandolin

Justin Williamson – fiddle, mandolin

Kenny Lewis – bass guitar

Ben Sesar – drums

Personal life

Brad Paisley has been married to actress Kimberly Williams since 2003. Paisley had first seen Kimberley Williams in ''Father of the Bride'' with a former girlfriend. Brad and his former girlfriend broke up prior to the release of ''Father of the Bride Part II'', which Brad went to see alone. Brad has stated that he watched Kimberly Williams' performance and thought "She seems like a great girl — smart and funny and all those things that are so hard to find."

Paisley and Williams began dating in 2001. In 2002, Williams appeared in a video for the song "I'm Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin' Song)," the last release from his ''Part II'' album. The two married on March 15, 2003, at Stauffer Chapel on the campus of Pepperdine University after a nine month engagement. They live in Franklin, Tennessee, and have another home in Malibu.

Paisley and Williams first son, William Huckleberry, or "Huck", was born on February 22, 2007, in Nashville, Tennessee. Their second son, Jasper Warren (named after his grandfather who bought Brad his first guitar), was born on April 17, 2009.

Paisley is a member of the Southern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, and a Noble of the AAONMS, also known as Shriners. He was accompanied by his father, Doug Paisley (32º), for the ceremony on October 28, 2006.

He is also a lifelong fan of the Cleveland Browns. Paisley sang the national anthem before a game during the 1999 season, and stated in an interview, with ESPN his dream job would be to play football for them. He also invited former Browns Quarterback Brady Quinn to a concert at the Blossom Music Center, in 2008.

Paisley is also a fan of West Virginia University athletics and the Boston Red Sox.

In late 2009, it was announced in ''Variety'' that Paisley would enter the world of scripted television as an executive producer of a new hour-long drama series for The CW network called, appropriately, ''Nashville''. The plot was written and created by Neal Dodson and actor Matt Bomer. The creator of the series ''One Tree Hill'', Mark Schwahn will direct the pilot and oversee the series. Actor Zachary Quinto is also an executive producer on the series, along with Dodson, Bomer, and Corey Moosa. The pilot was not picked up for a series when The CW's fall schedule was announced in May 2010.

Gear

Paisley's first guitar, a gift from his grandfather, was a Silvertone Danelectro 1451, which came with a "amp-in-case". His next guitar, which he got at the age of 10 or 11, also from his grandfather, was a Sekova copy of a Gibson ES-335, with a Fender Deluxe Reverb. The instrument most often associated with him is a 1968 Pink Paisley Fender Telecaster.

Like many Nashville-based musicians, he lost a lot of instruments and other gear in the 2010 flood in Nashville, including a 1970s Gibson Les Paul and the prototype for a Z Wreck, one of the signature Paisley Dr. Z amplifiers. The insurance money, however, allowed him to buy (from George Gruhn's store) an exclusive 1937 herringbone Martin D-28.

Discography

Albums

;Studio Albums

1999: ''Who Needs Pictures''

2001: ''Part II''

2003: ''Mud on the Tires''

2005: ''Time Well Wasted''

2006: ''Brad Paisley Christmas''

2007: ''5th Gear''

2008: ''Play''

2009: ''American Saturday Night''

2011: ''This Is Country Music''

;Compilations

2010: ''Hits Alive''

Awards

Brad Paisley has won the following awards:

Academy of Country Music

* 1999 – Top New Male Vocalist of the Year

* 2004 – Vocal Event of the Year ("Whiskey Lullaby")

* 2004 – Video of the Year ("Whiskey Lullaby")

* 2005 – Album of the Year ("Time Well Wasted")

* 2005 – Vocal Event of the Year ("When I Get Where I'm Going")

* 2005 – Video of the Year ("When I Get Where I'm Going")

* 2007 – Top Male Vocalist of the Year

* 2008 – Top Male Vocalist of the Year

* 2008 – Video of the Year ("Online")

* 2009 – Video of the Year ("Waitin' on a Woman")

* 2009 – Vocal Event of the Year ("Start a Band")

* 2009 – Top Male Vocalist of the Year

* 2010 – Top Male Vocalist of the Year

* 2011 – Top Male Vocalist of the Year

Country Music Association Awards

* 2000 – Horizon Award

* 2001 – Vocal Event of the Year ("Too Country")

* 2002 – Music Video of the Year ("I'm Gonna Miss Her")

* 2004 – Musical Event of the Year ("Whiskey Lullaby")

* 2004 – Music Video of the Year ("Whiskey Lullaby")

* 2006 – Album of the Year (''Time Well Wasted'')

* 2006 – Musical Event of the Year ("When I Get Where I'm Going")

* 2007 – Music Video of the Year ("Online" – director Jason Alexander)

* 2007 – Male Vocalist of the Year

* 2008 – Music Video of the Year ("Waitin' on a Woman")

* 2008 – Male Vocalist of the Year

* 2009 – Male Vocalist of the Year

* 2009 – Musical Event of the Year ("Start A Band" with Keith Urban)

* 2010 – Entertainer of the Year

Grammy Awards

* 2008 – Best Country Instrumental Performance ("Throttleneck")

* 2009 – Best Country Instrumental Performance ("Cluster Pluck")

* 2009 – Best Male Country Vocal Performance ("Letter to Me")

Country Weekly Presents the TNN Music Awards

* 2000 – The Discovery Award

* 2000 – Song of the Year ("He Didn't Have to Be")

* 2000 – CMT Music Video of the Year ("He Didn't Have to Be")

Flameworthy Awards/CMT Music Awards

* 2002 – Concept Video of the Year ("I'm Gonna Miss Her")

* 2005 – Collaborative Video of the Year ("Whiskey Lullaby")

* 2006 – Most Inspiring Video of the Year ("When I Get Where I'm Going")

* 2008 – Comedy Video of the Year ("Online")

* 2009 – CMT Performance of the Year ("Country Boy")

* 2009 – Collaborative Video of the Year ("Start a Band")

* 2009 – Male Video of the Year ("Waitin' On a Woman")

American Music Awards

* 2008 – Favorite Country Male Artist

* 2010 – Favorite Country Male Artist

American Country Awards

* 2010 – Artist of the Year - Male

* 2011 – Artist of the Year - Male

''Orville H. Gibson Guitar Award''

* 2002 – Best Country Guitarist (Male)

''Nashville Songwriters Association International Award''

* 2002 – Songwriter/Artist of the Year

* 2005 – Songwriter/Artist of the Year

''ASCAP Country Music Award''

* 2004 – Songwriter/Artist of the Year

References

External links

Official Website

Category:1972 births Category:American guitarists Category:Songwriters from West Virginia Category:American country guitarists Category:American country singers Category:American singer-songwriters Category:American country songwriters Category:American male singer-songwriters Category:American country singer-songwriters Category:American male singers Category:American people of Scottish descent Category:Arista Records artists Category:Belmont University alumni Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Grand Ole Opry members Category:Living people Category:Lead guitarists Category:People from Marshall County, West Virginia Category:Musicians from West Virginia

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name	Jason Aldean
background	solo_singer
birth name	Jason Aldine Williams
birth date	February 28, 1977
birth place	Macon, Georgia, USA
instrument	Vocals, guitar
genre	Country, country-rock
occupation	Singer
years active	2005–present
label	Capitol NashvilleBroken Bow
associated acts	Kelly ClarksonColt FordMiranda Lambert, Ludacris,Brantley Gilbert Lionel Richie
website	JasonAldean.com }}

Jason Aldine Williams (born February 28, 1977 in Macon, Georgia) is an American country music singer, known professionally as Jason Aldean. Since 2005, Aldean has recorded for Broken Bow Records, an independent record label for which he has released four albums and twelve singles. His 2005 self-titled debut and 2009 album ''Wide Open'' are both certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), while 2007's ''Relentless'' is certified gold. Of his singles, six have reached the number one position on the Hot Country Songs charts: "Why", "She's Country", "Big Green Tractor", "The Truth", "Don't You Wanna Stay" (a duet with Kelly Clarkson), and "Dirt Road Anthem", and eight more have reached top ten on the same chart.

Early life

Aldean's parents, Barry and Debbie, divorced when he was three. He was raised by his mother, mainly in Macon, Georgia, where he went to high school at Windsor Academy. During the summer he would spend time with his father in Homestead, Florida.

Before going to work during the day, his dad would map out guitar chords on notebook paper to show Jason where to place his fingers to play the chords. Jason sat and practiced all day while his dad was at work. When his dad got home, he got out his own guitar and they played together. Soon, after hearing a song only a few times, he could play it. His early favorites included George Strait's "The Cowboy Rides Away", Hank Williams Jr.'s "The Blues Man", and Alabama's "My Home's in Alabama". Both parents encouraged young Jason as he progressed musically. From age 14, after watching the country-music awards on TV, he wanted to perform on stage. With his mother's help, he performed at the local VFW hall in Macon, Georgia. He sang John Anderson's song "Seminole Wind" and Tracy Lawrence's "Sticks and Stones". He would later say that the entire audience — all ten — applauded, and that he almost had to be dragged off the stage because he was hooked on performing. He began performing at area talent contests and local fairs. At 15, he joined the "house band" at Georgia nightspot Nashville South.

Personal life

Aldean is married to Jessica and they have two daughters, Keeley and Kendyl. Aldean married Jessica on August 4, 2001.

Musical career

After high school, with his father's help, Aldean and his band performed in college towns in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia, and then further up the southeastern seaboard. With one of the band's members, Justin Weaver, Aldean began writing songs. In 1998 he performed his original songs at a showcase staged by Atlanta nightclub The Buckboard. He was approached by Michael Knox, then of the Warner-Chappell song-publishing company. After signing with Warner-Chappell, Aldean moved to Nashville on November 1, 1998, at age 21.

A month after moving to Nashville, Aldean was offered a recording contract but was subsequently dropped. He signed with another label but again was dropped in 2000 for postponing his recording sessions repeatedly. Various showcases failed to bring him a contract. The last straw was an attempt at the Wildhorse Saloon where the promised label talent scouts never even showed up. Finally, Lawrence Mathis spotted Jason at one of the showcases at The Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville. Mathis signed as Aldean's first manager. Still frustrated and discouraged with his struggling career, Aldean gave himself six months before planning to leave Nashville and return home to Georgia. Then five weeks later, he was offered a deal from Broken Bow Records in Nashville. Shortly after the release of his first album, Jason picked up his new (and current) agent, Kevin Neal. And while recording ''Relentless'', Jason moved to Clarence Spalding and Spalding Entertainment for management.

''Jason Aldean'' (2005-2006)

Aldean's first single, "Hicktown", was released in early 2005. It served as the lead-off to his album ''Jason Aldean'', and reached a peak of #10 on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs charts. The album also produced his first Number One hit in "Why", as well as the #4-peaking "Amarillo Sky", which had previously been a non-charting single in 2002 for McBride & the Ride. Amarillo Sky earned a 2006 ACM nomination for song of the year and video of the year. Jason Aldean earned the title of "Top New Male Vocalist" at the 2006 Academy of Country Music Awards. ''Jason Aldean'' has sold over one million copies in the United States, and was certified platinum by the RIAA in 2007.

''Relentless'' (2007-2008)

Aldean spent most of January 2007 in the studio with producer Michael Knox to finish his second album, ''Relentless''. This album was released on May 29, 2007, and at Wal-Mart, it was released with a Limited Edition CMT Pick DVD that includes performances from Jason Aldean. The album's lead-off single, "Johnny Cash", was originally recorded by Tracy Byrd and peaked at #6 when Aldean released it. Its followup, "Laughed Until We Cried", has become his fifth consecutive Top Ten hit. ''Relentless'' has also been certified gold by the RIAA, and its title track was released as its third single. The song has also been Aldean's lowest charting single in both the U.S. and Canada, failing to reach Top Ten on the country charts.

''Wide Open'' (2009-2010)

Aldean released a seventh single titled "She's Country" to radio on December 1, 2008. It is the first single from his third album ''Wide Open'' which was released on April 7, 2009. The single debuted at #51 on the Hot Country Songs chart in late-November 2008. His seventh consecutive Top 40 hit on the country charts, it is also his first Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, and became his second number-one hit, and his first since "Why" in May 2006. The next single, the David Lee Murphy-Jim Collins co-write "Big Green Tractor," became Aldean's third Number One hit. ''Wide Open'' debuted at #2 on the Top Country Albums chart. "The Truth" became the album's third consecutive Number One hit in January 2010, with "Crazy Town" being the album's fourth single, peaking at #2 on the country charts.

Jason Aldean performed with Bryan Adams on an episode of ''CMT Crossroads'' in the beginning of May, and the episode premiered on June 26, 2009. In an interview with ''Shave'' Magazine, Jason explained that working with Bryan on ''Crossroads'' "was great. He was a lot of fun." But the real highlight for Jason was working with Randy Owen. "I am a big fan of Alabama so I got a chance to work with Randy Owen on this album (it didn’t make the album but it eventually made a bonus track). It was really cool. Alabama were like ‘The Beatles’ for me so working with him was definitely one of the highlights. I mean, both of those guys were really cool moments, but, if I had to pick one highlight, it would be working with Randy this year."

A live DVD titled ''Wide Open Live & More'' was released on August 25, 2009.

At the 2010 CMT music Awards Jason Aldean picked up 3 nominations in Video of the Year and Male Video of the Year for "The Truth", as well as collaborative video of the year and CMT performance of the year for his performance of "Heaven" with Bryan Adams.

''My Kinda Party'' (2010-2012)

Aldean released a new single in August 2010, "My Kinda Party," which entered the Hot Country Songs chart at #41, which is the lead-off single from his album of the same name, released on November 2, 2010. It marks as Aldean's tenth top 10 country hit. He also collaborated with Kelly Clarkson on the intimate duet "Don't You Wanna Stay". Aldean and Clarkson's performance on November 10, 2010 at the CMA Awards received positive recognition, and debuted at #59 on ''Billboard'''s Hot Country Songs chart from unsolicited airplay for the week of November 20, 2010. In March 2011, "Don't You Wanna Stay" became Aldean's fifth number one hit.

In early 2011, Aldean's recording of "Dirt Road Anthem", recorded previously by both of its writers, country rap artist Colt Ford and Brantley Gilbert (who also wrote "My Kinda Party"), debuted on the Hot Country Songs chart at #57 as an album cut from unsolicited airplay for the week of February 5, 2011. In March 2011, "Dirt Road Anthem" was selected as the third single from ''My Kinda Party''. Aldean also collaborated with Ludacris on the song "Dirt Road Anthem" at the 2011 CMT Music Awards in Nashville, Tennessee on Wednesday, June 8, 2011. In addition to making number one on the Hot Country Songs chart for the week of July 30, 2011, "Dirt Road Anthem" has also become Aldean's first top ten hit on the Hot 100 chart.

Aldean performed his song My Kinda Party at the start of the 2011 Home Run Derby, aired on ESPN.

Aldean won the CMA Country Album of the Year 2011 as well as the Musical Event of the Year with his duet, "Don't You Wanna Stay", with Kelly Clarkson. It was his first win.

On October 25, 2011 it was announced that Aldean will be performing on “The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night”, the one-hour special which takes place live on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at the Nokia Theatre L.A. The show will announce nominations in several categories as well as feature performances by past GRAMMY winners and/or nominees.

Jason Aldean released his fifth single from his award winning album, titled "Fly Over States" on February 6, 2012.

Tours

Me & My Gang Tour 2006 with Rascal Flatts & Gary Allan (Eric Church was kicked off for playing too long and Jason took his spot)

Live Your Voice Tour with Tim McGraw 2008

CMT ON TOUR:Relentless with Lady Antebellum

Last Rodeo Tour with Brooks & Dunn 2010

Wide Open Tour 2010 with Luke Bryan (Fall Leg)

My Kinda Party Tour 2011 with

*Spring Leg: Eric Church & The JaneDear Girls

*Fall Leg: Chris Young & Thompson Square

My Kinda Party Tour 2012 with Luke Bryan & Lauren Alaina

Awards and nominations

Academy of Country Music

!Year	!Organization	!Award	!Result
2005	|	Top New Male Vocalist
rowspan="3"	2007		Song of the Year - "Amarillo Sky"
Video of the Year - "Amarillo Sky"
rowspan="1"	Country Music Association	Horizon Award
rowspan="3"	2010		Video of the Year - "The Truth"
Male Video of the Year - "The Truth"
Collaborative Video of the Year - "Heaven" with Bryan Adams from CMT Crossroads
rowspan="24"	2011		Entertainer of the Year
Male Vocalist of the Year
rowspan="2"	Billboard Music Awards	Top Country Artist
Top Country Album - "My Kinda Party"
rowspan="4"	CMT Music Awards	Video of the Year - "My Kinda Party"
Male Video of the Year - "My Kinda Party"
Collaborative Video of the Year - "Don't You Wanna Stay" with Kelly Clarkson
Best Web Video of the Year - "My Kinda Party" live from CMT.com webcast
rowspan="5"	Country Music Association	Entertainer of the Year
Single of the Year - "Don't You Wanna Stay" with Kelly Clarkson
Musical Event of the Year - "Don't You Wanna Stay" with Kelly Clarkson
Album of the Year - ''My Kinda Party''
Male Vocalist of the Year
rowspan="1"	Billboard Touring Awards	Breakthrough
rowspan="2"	American Music Awards	Favorite Country Male Artist
Favorite Country Album - "My Kinda Party"
rowspan="8"	American Country Awards
Artist of the Year
Male Artist of the Year
Album of the Year - ''My Kinda Party''
Single of the Year: Male - "My Kinda Party"
Single of the Year: Vocal Collaboration - "Don't You Wanna Stay" with Kelly Clarkson
Touring Headline Act of the Year
Music Video: Group, Duo, or Collaboration - "Don't You Wanna Stay" with Kelly Clarkson
rowspan="15"	2012		Best Country Solo Performance - "Dirt Road Anthem"
Best Country Duo/Group Performance - "Don't You Wanna Stay" with Kelly Clarkson
Best Country Album - "My Kinda Party"
rowspan="6"	Academy of Country Music	Entertainer of the Year
Male Vocalist of the Year
Album of the Year - "My Kinda Party"
Vocal Event of the Year - "Don't You Wanna Stay" with Kelly Clarkson
Single Record of the Year - "Don't You Wanna Stay" with Kelly Clarkson
Video of the Year - "Tattoos on This Town"
rowspan="3"	Billboard Music Awards	Top Country Artist
Top Country Album - "My Kinda Party"
Top Country Song - "Dirt Road Anthem"
rowspan="3"	CMT Music Awards	Video of the Year - "Dirt Road Anthem"
Male Video of the Year - "Dirt Road Anthem"
CMT Performance of the Year - "Tattoos On This Town" from Artists of the Year

Discography

Albums

2005: ''Jason Aldean''

2007: ''Relentless''

2009: ''Wide Open''

2010: ''My Kinda Party''

References

External links

Category:1977 births Category:Living people Category:People from Macon, Georgia Category:American country singers Category:American male singers Category:Broken Bow Records artists Category:Country musicians from Georgia (U.S. state)

pdc:Jason Aldean de:Jason Aldean fo:Jason Aldean fr:Jason Aldean pt:Jason Aldean simple:Jason Aldean

name	Lee Kernaghan
alt	Man in black hat sitting on ground
background	solo_singer
birth name	Lee Raymond Kernaghan
birth date	April 15, 1964
Birth place	in Corryong, Victoria
origin	Australia
genre	Country
occupation	Songwriter, composer, musician
years active	1969–present
label	Universal, ABC
associated acts	The Blue DevilsFiona KernaghanRay KernaghanTania Kernaghan
website	http://www.leekernaghan.com.au/
notable instruments	}}

Lee Kernaghan OAM (born 15 April 1964 in Corryong, Victoria) is an Australian country music singer and songwriter. He was the 2008 Australian of the Year.

Honours

Kernaghan received the Order of Australia Medal in 2004.

In 2008 he was Australian of the Year.

Discography

Albums

''The Outback Club'' (1992)

''Three Chain Road'' (1993) #35 AUS

''1959'' (1995) #9 AUS

''Hat Town'' (1997) #7 AUS

''The Christmas Album'' (1999) #31 AUS

''Rules of the Road'' (2000) #16 AUS

''Electric Rodeo'' (2002) #5 AUS

''The Big Ones – Greatest Hits Vol. 1'' (2004) #16 AUS

''The New Bush'' (2006) #6 AUS

''Spirit of the Bush'' (2007) #5 AUS

''Planet Country'' (2009) #13 AUS

''Ultimate Hits'' (2011) #8 AUS

Singles

! Year	! Single	! Album
2011	"Scars" (with Dierks Bentley)	''Planet Country''

Musicals

The Man from Snowy River: Arena Spectacular

Music videos

! Year	! Video	! Director
2011	"Scars" (with Dierks Bentley)	Robb Cox

References

External links

Lee Kernaghan's Official website

Category:1964 births Category:ARIA Award winners Category:Australian country singer-songwriters Category:Australian male singers Category:Australian musical theatre actors Category:Australian of the Year Award winners Category:Living people Category:Recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia

fr:Lee Kernaghan pl:Lee Kernaghan

Name	Moe Bandy
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Marion Franklin Bandy, Jr.
Born	February 12, 1944
Instrument	singing, guitar
Genre	Country
Occupation	country singer
Years active	1964 to present.
Label	Sweetsong Nashville
Associated acts	Joe Stampley, Becky Hobbs, Judy Bailey
Website	www.moebandy.com
Past members	}}

Marion Franklin Bandy, Jr.–better known professionally as Moe Bandy–(born February 12, 1944 in Meridian, Mississippi) is a country music singer. He was most popular during the 1970s, when he had several hit songs, both alone and with his singing partner Joe Stampley.

Early life and recordings

Marion Bandy, who was nicknamed Moe by his father when he was a child, grew up in the home-town of the legendary Jimmie Rodgers. He later stated: "My grandfather worked on the railroads with Jimmie Rodgers. He was the boss of the railway yard in Meridian and Jimmie Rodgers worked for him. He said that he played his guitar all the time between work."

The Bandy family moved to San Antonio, Texas when Moe was six years old. His mother played piano and sang. Bandy was taught to play the guitar by his father, but made little use of the ability until he was in his teens. His father's wish that Moe also play the fiddle never materialized.

He made some appearances with his father's country band, the Mission City Playboys, but generally during his high school days, he showed little interest in music but a great deal in rodeos. He tried bronco-busting and bull-riding and by the time he was 16, he was competing in rodeos all over Texas.

Career success

In 1962, tired of the bruises and fractured bones, he began to pursue a career in country music. He assembled a band that he called Moe And The Mavericks and found work playing small beer joints, honky tonks and clubs over a wide area around San Antonio, Texas. When he was young he tried to sound like Hank Williams and George Jones - "I even had my hair cut short like his".

Although work was plentiful, the pay was poor and during the day he worked for his father as a sheet metal worker. This was to last for the next 12 years, during which time he made a few recordings for various small labels. In 1964, he had his first single, "Lonely Lady", on the Satin label, but it made little impression. He did manage to get his band a residency on a local television program called Country Corner and in this capacity, he provided backing for several touring stars.

In 1973, he went solo when record producer Ray Baker, who had listened to Bandy's demos the previous year, suggested he come to Nashville. Bandy managed to obtain a loan and recorded a song called "I Just Started Hatin' Cheatin' Songs Today". Initially released on Footprint Records with a limited pressing of 500 copies, it soon came to the attention of the Atlanta-based GRC label. In March 1974, it entered the US country charts, eventually peaking at number 17. Other hits followed, including "It Was Always So Easy To Find An Unhappy Woman (Till I Started Looking For Mine)" and "Don't Anyone Make Love At Home Anymore".

In 1975, a song written by his friend Lefty Frizzell and Whitey Shaffer gave him a number seven country hit, firmly establishing his reputation. "Bandy The Rodeo Clown" was to become not only one of his own favorites but also one of his most popular recordings. (Shaffer was greatly amused by the way Bandy pronounced woman as "woh-min", and began to send him songs with the "woh-min" in them.)

Bandy sang in a simple style that extracted the utmost from his songs of lost love, sadness and life. Although by no means a Hank Williams sound-alike, his method of putting across his honky tonk songs shows a distinct influence from Williams. He met with immediate success at Columbia Records with Paul Craft's "Hank Williams, You Wrote My Life" and quickly added further hits, including "Here I Am Drunk Again".

From 1977 through 1979, he was a country chart regular with singles such as "I'm Sorry For You, My Friend" (the song Williams had written for their mutual friend Lefty Frizzell), "Cowboys Ain't Supposed To Cry", "That's What Makes The Jukebox Play" and a duet with Janie Fricke, "It's A Cheating Situation".

Duets

In 1979, he achieved his first solo number one with "I Cheated Me Right Out of You". Also during 1979, Bandy joined forces with Joe Stampley and recorded a tongue in cheek novelty single: "Just Good Ol' Boys". The song went on to top the country charts, and it led to a continuation of the partnership over the following years. The duo, commonly known as "Moe and Joe", had more novelty hits between 1979 and 1985, including "Holding The Bag", "Tell Ole I Ain't Here" and "Hey Joe (Hey Moe)". In 1984, they ran into copyright problems with their parody of the Boy George/Culture Club phenomenon that was so hot on the pop music charts at that time; "Where's The Dress" used the introduction from Culture Club's hit "Karma Chameleon".

During the 1980s, Bandy maintained a steady line of solo successes, including "Yesterday Once More", "Rodeo Romeo", "She's Not Really Cheatin' (She's Just Gettin' Even)" and "Till I'm Too Old To Die Young", and several others.

Bandy also registered duet successes with Judy Bailey ("Following The Feeling") and Becky Hobbs ("Let's Get Over Them Together"). Over the years, he maintained a touring schedule estimated to average between 250 and 300 days a year, and appeared on numerous network television shows. In later years, he cut back considerably on his schedule. He was never a regular Grand Ole Opry member, but has made guest appearances from time to time.

Later life

Bandy summed up his music when he said, "I really think my songs are about life. There's cheating, drinking and divorcing going on everywhere and that's what hardcore country music is all about." He added: "If I'd done all the things I sing about, I'd be dead."

Critics reviewing some of his later recordings wrote that it was strange that, when more artists were actually recording his type of music, some of his recordings were spoiled by string and or choir arrangements, and advised that an immediate return to his roots was necessary. Bandy opened his popular Americana Theatre in Branson, Missouri in 1991. He is currently appearing at the Jim Stafford Theater in Branson.

Moe, along with his brother, Mike Bandy, a six time NFR bull riding qualifier, were inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2007.

Discography

Albums

Year	Album	Chart Positions		Label
		! width="50"	CAN Country
	''I Just Started Hatin' Cheatin' Songs Today''
''It Was Always So Easy''
1975	''Bandy the Rodeo Clown''
	''Hank Williams You Wrote My Life''
''Here I Am Drunk Again''
	''I'm Sorry for You My Friend''
''The Best''
''Cowboys Ain't Supposed to Cry''
	''Soft Lights and Hard Country Music''
''Love Is What Life's All About''
	''It's a Cheating Situation''
''One of a Kind''
	''The Champ''
''Following the Feeling''
	''Rodeo Romeo''
''Encore''
	''She's Not Really Cheatin' (She's Just Gettin' Even)''
''Salutes the American Cowboy''			Warwick
''I Still Love You in the Same Ol' Way''
''Greatest Hits''
	''Sings Songs of Hank Williams''
''Devoted to Your Memory''
1984	''Motel Matches''
	''Keepin' It Country''
''Barroom Roses''
1987	''You Haven't Heard the Last of Me''			MCA
1988	''No Regrets''
1989	''Many Mansions''
1990	''Greatest Hits''
1993	''Live in Branson, MO USA''			Laserlight
	''Picture in a Frame''
''Gospel Favorites''
1996	''A Cowboy Christmas''
1997	''Act Naturally''
2005	''Too Old to Die Young''			Pegasus

Albums with Joe Stampley

Year	Title	Chart positions		Label
		US Country	! width="50"
1979	''Just Good Ol' Boys''
1981	''Hey Joe! Hey Moe!''
1982	''Greatest Hits''
1984	''Alive and Well''
1985	''Live from Bad Bob's, Memphis''
1999	''The Best''			Intersound
2000	''Live at Billy Bob's Texas''			Smith

Singles

Year	Title	Chart positions		Album
		! width="50"	CAN Country
	"I Just Started Hatin' Cheatin' Songs Today"
"Honky Tonk Amnesia"
"It Was Always So Easy (To Find an Unhappy Woman)"
	"Don't Anyone Make Love at Home Anymore"
"Bandy the Rodeo Clown"			''Bandy the Rodeo Clown''
"Hank Williams, You Wrote My Life"
	"The Biggest Airport in the World"
"Here I Am Drunk Again"
"She Took More Than Her Share"
	"I'm Sorry for You, My Friend"			''I'm Sorry for You My Friend''
"Cowboys Ain't Supposed to Cry"
"She Just Loved the Cheatin' Out of Me"
	"Soft Lights and Hard Country Music"
"That's What Makes the Juke Box Play"
"Two Lonely People"			''Love Is What Life's All About''
	"It's a Cheating Situation" (w/ Janie Fricke)
"Barstool Mountain"
"I Cheated Me Right Out of You"
	"One of a Kind"
"The Champ"
"Yesterday Once More"
"Following the Feeling" (w/ Judy Bailey)
	"My Woman Loves the Devil Out of Me"
"Rodeo Romeo"
"She's Not Really Cheatin' (She's Just Gettin' Even)"
"Only If There Is Another You"
	"I Still Love You in the Same Ol' Way"			''I Still Love You in the Same Ol' Way''
"Let's Get Over Them Together" (w/ Becky Hobbs)
"You're Gonna Lose Her Like That"
	"It Took a Lot of Drinkin' (To Get That Woman Over Me)"
"Woman Your Love"
1985	"Barroom Roses"			''Barroom Roses''
1986	"One Man Band"
	"Till I'm Too Old to Die Young"
"You Haven't Heard the Last of Me"
"Ashes in the Wind"
"I Just Can't Say No to You"
	"Many Mansions"
"This Night Won't Last Forever"

Singles with Joe Stampley

Year	Title	Chart positions		Album
		! width="50"	CAN Country
	"Just Good Ol' Boys"
"Holding the Bag"
1980	"Tell Ole I Ain't Here, He Better Get on Home"
"Honky Tonk Queen"
	"Where's the Dress"
"The Boy's Night Out"
	"Daddy's Honky Tonk"
"Still on a Roll"

References

External links

Moe Bandy Theater website

Category:1944 births Category:Living people Category:American country musicians Category:American country singers Category:Musicians from Mississippi Category:People from Meridian, Mississippi

de:Moe Bandy