CMA Fest 2019 with Missy: Brett Kissel
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CRS 2020 with Missy: Brett Kissel
Reuniting with artists such as Brett Kissel at the annual Country Music Festival in Nashville, Tennessee is always sure to be a good time.
As Kissell and I sat for another conversation about his career and what he has been up to for the past year, I had no idea that he was about to share the amazing story of his Grand Ole Opry debut along with fun and personal stories involving getting pranked by his cousins and more. We laughed, smiled, and had a great time.
Get in on the fun and watch our full conversation now. For more information on Kissel, read his bio (taken directly from his website) below. Remember to follow him on social media and be a part of all the excitement and do not forget to grab his latest single "Love Them A Little". ~Missy
About Brett Kissel:
Some would imagine that Brett Kissel is settling perfectly into the role of one of the nation’s leading country music creatives, but settling is not a word in Kissel’s vocabulary. In fact, with his new album in tow, just ask him: he's only just begun!
Over the past few years, the country crooner has received an armful of Canadian Country Music Association Awards, (including two straight wins for Male Artist of the Year and the coveted Fans' Choice). Brett was the recipient of the Allan Slaight Honor from Canada's Walk of Fame (previously presented to Drake, Shawn Mendes and The Weeknd), the Breakthrough Artist of the Year winner at the JUNO Awards, and was recognized as the International Artist of the Year at the Worldwide Radio Summit in Hollywood, California (an honor bestowed upon Ed Sheeran and Adele in the last two years respectively).
Keeping his own ear-to-the-ground, Kissel has learned the delicate art of entertaining and ultimately gives his listeners what they want to experience - especially with his latest album - We Were That Song. Production of this album brought the mastery that is Grammy Award Winner Luke Wooten (Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Chris Stapleton), long-time collaborator Bart McKay (multiple CCMA Award Winner), as well as Kissel's own bandmates - Justin Kudding, Spencer Cheyne, and Matty McKay - to co-produce and complete the studio team.
With diversity and excitement as two of Kissel's key words when describing the new album, he delivers two mega duets, first with Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and country music icon Charley Pride, and second with Megadeath's founder and frontman: Dave Mustaine. This record is designed to disarm the listener of any previous perceptions they may have had of Brett Kissel and his music.
Just like Kissel's real life now-a-days, the top three tracks of We Were That Song explode into your life with purpose. "I feel the most connected to my fans while up on stage; I'm an entertainer, it's what I do best." Kissel shares. This “bring-the-fire” attitude is evident in hot tracks like Anthem, Guitars and Gasoline, and the smash title track - We Were That Song.
Kissel has also impressively established himself as a Creative Entrepreneur in the music industry. As the only Canadian to ever tour with Garth Brooks, one of planet earth's top selling artists, Kissel notes, "Playing with Garth is impossible to effectively describe. I really appreciate his willingness to take me under his wing and teach me so much about what it means to be an entertainer in this business."
With the arrival of his second blonde-topped daughter, while surrounded by so much support - Kissel's approach to music creation has a new sound and a maturity only found when life ripens with busy-ness and babies. This is evidenced in the sexy tracks Between You and Me - a smoldering date night favorite, and the powerful ode to his wife Cecilia, affectionately named after her. God Made Daughters is destined to be the next great wedding song as Kissel gets raw and emotional sharing a true lyrical masterpiece that describes every parents' never ending love.
Kissel has evolved immensely by using his unique charisma to share and connect with his audience. His remarkable level of transparency awarded him with his fourth consecutive CCMA for Interactive Artist of the Year. He confidently shares his own learnings and cheeky life-advice, in songs like Drink, Cuss, or Fish and Nights in the Sun. "I'm heavily influenced by my grandparents - especially my grandfathers, and their root-wisdoms. I also have the land coordinates of both my grandfather's cattle ranches tattooed above my heart; they're always with me," Kissel added.
True, Brett Kissel is often far from the grounding cattle-ranch-lands of his childhood home in Flat Lake, Alberta, as he and his crew of award winning and mad-skilled band mates continue to tour coast-to-coast-to-coast. His last time back home earned Kissel yet another CCMA, this time for the televised Country Music Special of the Year, with his blow-the-roof-off Hometown Homecoming Concert,that saw his home community double in size as fans from far and wide traveled the miles to experience the epic show.
"We are always on the road - we want to entertain - and can't wait to hit the stage every night," Kissel beams. As more and more tour dates keep piling on, Kissel humbly forges ahead with steam roll intensity. Indeed We Were That Song is his best album work yet, drawing on a plethora of inspirations to satisfy everyone's audio senses. The new recording that is both exciting and diverse, is again, specifically designed to disarm anything you ever thought you knew about Brett Kissel. Buckle up for a new song. A new wave. And a new ride.
About CMA Fest
The Ultimate Country Music Fan Experience™ began in 1972 as Fan Fair®, which drew 5,000 fans to Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium. Now in its 48th year, the legendary festival has become the city’s signature Country Music event that hosts tens of thousands of fans from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and 37 international countries. In 2019, CMA Fest featured 11 official stages with hundreds of artists performing—all to benefit music education. CMA Fest is a one-of-a-kind festival with artists donating their time to perform so ticket proceeds can directly benefit high-quality music programs across the country through the CMA Foundation. CMA Fest is filmed for a primetime ABC Television Network special airing Sunday, Aug. 4, with 2019 marking the 16th consecutive year the event has been filmed for television, a feat no other music festival has achieved.
About Missy Wolf
Co-Founder, Editor, Journalist & Vice President of the American Country Music AssociationFrom an early age I knew music and entertainment were in my blood. I have always been enamored with the idea of being in this industry, though I never wanted to be a front and center "Star". Taking the audience behind the scenes for up close conversations with the artists they love is where I want to be. Life in lyrics has always been my style, so as my favorite country artist Wade Hayes sings, I am living my life and chasing my dreams! Conducting interviews, meeting talented people and sharing stories and adventure are my passion. My new favorite hashtag is #iaskyouanswer, so stay tuned for more interviews, articles and adventures!
