Paul Brandt
Encyclopedia
Paul Rennée Belobersycky (born July 21, 1972) is a Canadian country music
artist, known professionally as Paul Brandt. Growing up in Calgary
, he was a pediatric RN at the time of his big break. In 1996, he made his mark on the country music
charts with the single "My Heart Has a History
," propelling him to international success and making him the first male Canadian country singer to reach to the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot Country Songs
chart in the United States since Hank Snow
, who last charted a Top 10 hit when "Hello Love" hit #1 in 1974. Brandt is married to Elizabeth Peterson, who can be seen in some of his music videos, and heard singing background on his CDs. Brandt's music has been used by Dave Matthews
and Johnny Cash
on the We Were Soldiers
soundtrack, a duet of the song written by Paul Brandt and Steve Rosen called "For You."
. The first time Paul Brandt sang in front of an audience was when he sang "Amazing Grace
" at his High School
. He attended Crescent Heights High School from 1987-1990.
Brandt's demo was one of many sent by A&Rs at the Warner Canada office to their colleagues at Warner Nashville with an eye to finding a new project the two branches could work together on.
Nashville A&R Paige Levy singled out Brandt's recordings, later telling HitQuarters
that she thought he showed great potential as a songwriter. As a result the artist began regularly travelling down to Nashville to undergo development, whereby Brant was matched up with various experienced songwriters whom he could relate to, work well with and who would help him to refine his writing skills. The collaborations resulted in a large part of the material for Brandt's debut album Calm Before the Storm
.
Brandt's first single, "My Heart Has a History
," was a number 1 hit in Canada, as was his debut album, "Calm Before The Storm". He followed up with the three hits "I Do
" (which he wrote for his friend's wedding), "I Meant to Do That
" and "Take It from Me." Calm Before the Storm was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1997.
Brandt's second album, Outside the Frame
, did not repeat the same success as Calm Before the Storm did. The album did have some hit singles, most notably "A Little in Love
" and "What's Come Over You." Determined to put his stamp in Nashville
, Brandt recorded his third album, That's the Truth
, in 1999. It was not as warmly received as the previous two, but the songs "That's the Truth
" and "The Sycamore Tree" received extensive airplay. After three albums, he released the Canada only greatest hits compilation, What I Want to Be Remembered For
, in 2000.
After the greatest hits album, Brandt left Warner/Reprise records and started his own label, Brand-T Records. To date, every album that Brandt has released on Brand-T Records has garnered an Album of the Year award (Small Towns & Big Dreams (2002 CCMA's), This Time Around(2005 CCMA's), Risk (2008 Juno), and A Gift (GMA-Seasonal Recording of the Year). As an unsigned artist, Paul's ground-breaking live acoustic album Small Towns and Big Dreams
went on to win the CCMA Album of the Year. His label's success has continued as the follow-up album This Time Around
went on to win CCMA Album of the Year nods and a GMA Canada Covenant Award
for the song "That's What I Love About Jesus" (2005). His last album, This Time Around, went platinum
in Canada and produced the hit songs "Leavin'", featuring Keith Urban
courtesy Capitol Records, and his remake of the trucker classic song "Convoy
." His last single/video from the album was "Alberta Bound," a tribute to the people and places of that province. Despite the song's name, it is not a remake of the Gordon Lightfoot
track.
Brandt released his album, Risk
, in September 2007, and in his home town on April 6, 2008, Paul won a Juno Award
for "Risk" as Country Recording of the Year
.
The first single for this project, "Didn't Even See the Dust
," was released to country radio in May 2007. The video was filmed in Barcelona, Spain
. "Dust" was one of the 20 most played country music songs of 2007 in Canada.
Paul released his latest album "Give It Away
", on September 13, 2011.
Paul Brandt continues to tour Canada, while playing in front of audiences in the United States occasionally.
and World Vision
. He also does a lot of work with terminally ill children, which goes back to his days working as a nurse at Alberta Children's Hospital
in Calgary. He has spent a term as a spokesman for The Ford Motor Company, and UFA (United Farmers of Alberta). Right now Brandt and his wife, Liz, reside near Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Brandt and his wife, Elizabeth Peterson, were married February 22, 1997 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada
at the Centre Street Church, and welcomed their first child, Joseph Peterson Brandt, on May 15, 2008. November 7, 2010, they welcomed a daughter, Lily Abigail.
Brandt received an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from the University of Lethbridge
on Saturday, October 17, 2009. He has also received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Briercrest College and Seminary
on April 24, 2010.
Country Music Association
CMT (United States)
GMA Canada
Covenant Awards
Juno Awards
Western Canadian Music Awards
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist, known professionally as Paul Brandt. Growing up in Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, he was a pediatric RN at the time of his big break. In 1996, he made his mark on the country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
charts with the single "My Heart Has a History
My Heart Has a History
"My Heart Has a History" is the title of a country music song written by Paul Brandt and Mark D. Sanders. Released as Brandt's debut single, it is the first single from his debut album, Calm Before the Storm...
," propelling him to international success and making him the first male Canadian country singer to reach to the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
chart in the United States since Hank Snow
Hank Snow
Clarence Eugene "Hank" Snow was a Canadian-American country music artist. He charted more than 70 singles on the Billboard country charts from 1950 until 1980...
, who last charted a Top 10 hit when "Hello Love" hit #1 in 1974. Brandt is married to Elizabeth Peterson, who can be seen in some of his music videos, and heard singing background on his CDs. Brandt's music has been used by Dave Matthews
Dave Matthews
David John "Dave" Matthews is a South African–born American musician and occasional actor, best known as the lead vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist for the Dave Matthews Band...
and Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
on the We Were Soldiers
We Were Soldiers
We Were Soldiers is a 2002 American war film that dramatizes the Battle of Ia Drang on November 14, 1965. The film was directed by Randall Wallace and stars Mel Gibson. It is based on the book We Were Soldiers Once… And Young by Lieutenant General Hal Moore and reporter Joseph L...
soundtrack, a duet of the song written by Paul Brandt and Steve Rosen called "For You."
Career
Brandt was born in Calgary, Alberta and grew up in Airdrie, AlbertaAirdrie, Alberta
Airdrie is a city in Alberta, Canada, located just north of Calgary within the Calgary–Edmonton Corridor. The City of Airdrie is part of Calgary's Census Metropolitan Area and a member community of the Calgary Regional Partnership . Due to its proximity to Calgary, Airdrie's population has been...
. The first time Paul Brandt sang in front of an audience was when he sang "Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace
"Amazing Grace" is a Christian hymn with words written by the English poet and clergyman John Newton , published in 1779. With a message that forgiveness and redemption are possible regardless of the sins people commit and that the soul can be delivered from despair through the mercy of God,...
" at his High School
Crescent Heights High School (Calgary)
Crescent Heights High School is currently a high school with approximately 1700 students in grades 9-12 in Calgary, Alberta. The school is part of the Calgary Board of Education's public school system.-History:...
. He attended Crescent Heights High School from 1987-1990.
Brandt's demo was one of many sent by A&Rs at the Warner Canada office to their colleagues at Warner Nashville with an eye to finding a new project the two branches could work together on.
Nashville A&R Paige Levy singled out Brandt's recordings, later telling HitQuarters
HitQuarters
HitQuarters is an international music industry publication and contact database founded in 1999. It is noted for in-depth interviews with industry figures, with past subjects including Simon Cowell, Martin Kierszenbaum, Jason Flom, Diane Warren, Peter Edge, Ron Fair and RedOne, as well as its A&R...
that she thought he showed great potential as a songwriter. As a result the artist began regularly travelling down to Nashville to undergo development, whereby Brant was matched up with various experienced songwriters whom he could relate to, work well with and who would help him to refine his writing skills. The collaborations resulted in a large part of the material for Brandt's debut album Calm Before the Storm
Calm Before the Storm (Paul Brandt album)
Calm Before the Storm is the debut album of Canadian country music artist Paul Brandt, released in 1996 on Reprise Records. The album has been certified 3× Platinum by the CRIA and gold by the RIAA, and it is his most successful album in the United States...
.
Brandt's first single, "My Heart Has a History
My Heart Has a History
"My Heart Has a History" is the title of a country music song written by Paul Brandt and Mark D. Sanders. Released as Brandt's debut single, it is the first single from his debut album, Calm Before the Storm...
," was a number 1 hit in Canada, as was his debut album, "Calm Before The Storm". He followed up with the three hits "I Do
I Do (Paul Brandt song)
"I Do", also known as Robin's Song, is the title of a song written and recorded by Canadian country music artist Paul Brandt for his 1996 debut album Calm Before the Storm. It was released as the second single from that album where it reached #2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart...
" (which he wrote for his friend's wedding), "I Meant to Do That
I Meant to Do That
"I Meant to Do That" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by Canadian country music artist Paul Brandt for his 1996 debut album Calm Before the Storm...
" and "Take It from Me." Calm Before the Storm was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1997.
Brandt's second album, Outside the Frame
Outside the Frame
Outside the Frame is the second album by Canadian country music singer Paul Brandt. The album has been certified Platinum by the CRIA. The album's four singles — "A Little in Love", "What's Come Over You", "Yeah!", and "Outside the Frame" — all charted in the top ten on the Canadian RPM Country...
, did not repeat the same success as Calm Before the Storm did. The album did have some hit singles, most notably "A Little in Love
A Little in Love
"A Little in Love" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by Canadian country music artist Paul Brandt for his 1997 album Outside the Frame. It was released as the first single from that album where it reached #45 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and #1 on the Canadian...
" and "What's Come Over You." Determined to put his stamp in Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
, Brandt recorded his third album, That's the Truth
That's the Truth
That's the Truth is the fourth album by Canadian country music singer Paul Brandt. The album has been certified Gold by the CRIA. Four singles — "That's the Truth", "It's a Beautiful Thing", "That Hurts", and "The Sycamore Tree" — were released from the album, all but "That Hurts" charted on the...
, in 1999. It was not as warmly received as the previous two, but the songs "That's the Truth
That's the Truth (song)
"That's the Truth" is a single by Canadian country music artist Paul Brandt. Released in April 1999, it was the first single from Brandt's album That's the Truth...
" and "The Sycamore Tree" received extensive airplay. After three albums, he released the Canada only greatest hits compilation, What I Want to Be Remembered For
What I Want to Be Remembered For
What I Want to Be Remembered For is the first greatest hits album by Canadian country music singer Paul Brandt. The album features ten singles from Brandt's first three studio albums and two newly recorded songs — "What I Want to Be Remembered For" and "There's Nothing I Wouldn't Do" — which were...
, in 2000.
After the greatest hits album, Brandt left Warner/Reprise records and started his own label, Brand-T Records. To date, every album that Brandt has released on Brand-T Records has garnered an Album of the Year award (Small Towns & Big Dreams (2002 CCMA's), This Time Around(2005 CCMA's), Risk (2008 Juno), and A Gift (GMA-Seasonal Recording of the Year). As an unsigned artist, Paul's ground-breaking live acoustic album Small Towns and Big Dreams
Small Towns and Big Dreams
Small Towns and Big Dreams is the first live album by Canadian country music singer Paul Brandt. "Canadian Man" is the track recorded in the studio...
went on to win the CCMA Album of the Year. His label's success has continued as the follow-up album This Time Around
This Time Around (Paul Brandt album)
This Time Around is the fourth studio album by Canadian country music singer Paul Brandt, released on Orange Music Canada, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, in 2004...
went on to win CCMA Album of the Year nods and a GMA Canada Covenant Award
GMA Canada
GMA Canada is the Gospel Music Association of Canada . Created in 1974, the organization is a not for profit association whose mission is to promote the growth and ministry of Christian music arts in Canada...
for the song "That's What I Love About Jesus" (2005). His last album, This Time Around, went platinum
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
in Canada and produced the hit songs "Leavin'", featuring Keith Urban
Keith Urban
Keith Lionel Urban is a New Zealand-born Australian, country music singer, songwriter and guitarist whose commercial success has been mainly in the United States and Australia. Urban was born in New Zealand and began his career in Australia at an early age...
courtesy Capitol Records, and his remake of the trucker classic song "Convoy
Convoy (song)
"Convoy" is a 1975 novelty song performed by C. W. McCall that became a number-one song on both the country and pop charts in the US. Written by McCall and Chip Davis, the song spent six weeks at number one on the country charts and one week at number one on the pop charts...
." His last single/video from the album was "Alberta Bound," a tribute to the people and places of that province. Despite the song's name, it is not a remake of the Gordon Lightfoot
Gordon Lightfoot
Gordon Meredith Lightfoot, Jr. is a Canadian singer-songwriter who achieved international success in folk, folk-rock, and country music, and has been credited for helping define the folk-pop sound of the 1960s and 1970s...
track.
Brandt released his album, Risk
Risk (Paul Brandt album)
Risk is the fifth studio album by Canadian country music singer Paul Brandt, released on September 11, 2007 on Brandt's own record label, Brand-T Records.-Track listing:All songs written by Paul Brandt except as noted....
, in September 2007, and in his home town on April 6, 2008, Paul won a Juno Award
Juno Awards of 2008
The Juno Awards of 2008 were held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on the weekend ending 6 April 2008. These ceremonies honoured music industry achievements in Canada in the latter part of 2006 and in most of 2007....
for "Risk" as Country Recording of the Year
Juno Award for Country Recording of the Year
The Juno Award for "Country Recording of the Year" has been awarded since 1970, as recognition each year for the best country music artist in Canada...
.
The first single for this project, "Didn't Even See the Dust
Didn't Even See the Dust
"Didn't Even See the Dust" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by Canadian country music artist Paul Brandt. It was released in May 2007 as the first single from his 2007 album Risk. It reached #31 at Canadian Hot 100 Chart.-Chart positions:...
," was released to country radio in May 2007. The video was filmed in Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
. "Dust" was one of the 20 most played country music songs of 2007 in Canada.
Paul released his latest album "Give It Away
Give It Away (Paul Brandt album)
Give It Away is the sixth studio album by Canadian country music artist Paul Brandt. It was released on September 13, 2011 on Brandt's record label, Brand-T Records...
", on September 13, 2011.
Paul Brandt continues to tour Canada, while playing in front of audiences in the United States occasionally.
Personal life
Brandt and his wife are heavily involved in programs such as Samaritan's PurseSamaritan's Purse
Samaritan's Purse is a non-denominational evangelical Christian humanitarian organization that works worldwide to assist people in physical need alongside their Christian missionary work. The organization’s president is Franklin Graham, son of Christian evangelist Billy Graham...
and World Vision
World Vision
World Vision, founded in the USA in 1950, is an evangelical relief and development organization whose stated goal is "to follow our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in working with the poor and oppressed to promote human transformation, seek justice and bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of...
. He also does a lot of work with terminally ill children, which goes back to his days working as a nurse at Alberta Children's Hospital
Alberta Children's Hospital
Alberta Children's Hospital is the largest public hospital for sick children in the prairie provinces, and is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is operated by Alberta Health Services - Calgary Health Region. The new facility opened on September 27, 2006 and is the first free-standing...
in Calgary. He has spent a term as a spokesman for The Ford Motor Company, and UFA (United Farmers of Alberta). Right now Brandt and his wife, Liz, reside near Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Brandt and his wife, Elizabeth Peterson, were married February 22, 1997 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
at the Centre Street Church, and welcomed their first child, Joseph Peterson Brandt, on May 15, 2008. November 7, 2010, they welcomed a daughter, Lily Abigail.
Brandt received an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from the University of Lethbridge
University of Lethbridge
The University of Lethbridge is a publicly-funded comprehensive academic and research university, founded in the liberal education tradition, located in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, with two other urban campuses in Calgary and Edmonton. The main building sits among the coulees on the west side of...
on Saturday, October 17, 2009. He has also received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Briercrest College and Seminary
Briercrest College and Seminary
Briercrest College and Seminary is a private Christian post-secondary educational institution located in Caronport, Saskatchewan, Canada. It comprises a college and a seminary, and operates the Caronport High School.-History:...
on April 24, 2010.
Awards
Canadian Country Music AwardsCanadian Country Music Association
The Canadian Country Music Association was founded in 1976 as the Academy of Country Music Entertainment to organize, promote and develop a Canadian country music industry. The association changed its name to the Canadian Country Music Association in 1987.-Awards:The CCMA held the first Canadian...
- 1996 SOCAN Song Of The Year: "My Heart Has A History"
- 1997 Male Artist Of The Year
- 1997 SOCAN Song Of The Year: "I Do"
- 1997 Single Of The Year: "I Do"
- 1997 Video Of The Year: "I Do"
- 1998 Male Artist Of The Year
- 1999 Male Artist Of The Year
- 2000 Male Artist Of The Year
- 2000 Video Of The Year: "That's The Truth"
- 2002 Male Artist Of The Year
- 2002 Album Of The Year: Small Towns and Big DreamsSmall Towns and Big DreamsSmall Towns and Big Dreams is the first live album by Canadian country music singer Paul Brandt. "Canadian Man" is the track recorded in the studio...
- 2005 Album Of The Year: This Time AroundThis Time Around (Paul Brandt album)This Time Around is the fourth studio album by Canadian country music singer Paul Brandt, released on Orange Music Canada, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, in 2004...
- 2005 CMT Video Of The Year: "ConvoyConvoy (song)"Convoy" is a 1975 novelty song performed by C. W. McCall that became a number-one song on both the country and pop charts in the US. Written by McCall and Chip Davis, the song spent six weeks at number one on the country charts and one week at number one on the pop charts...
"
Country Music Association
Country Music Association
The Country Music Association was founded in 1958 in Nashville, Tennessee. It originally consisted of only 233 members and was the first trade organization formed to promote a music genre...
- 2005 Global Artist Of The Year
CMT (United States)
Country Music Television
Country Music Television, or CMT, is an American country music-oriented cable television network. Programming includes music videos, taped concerts, movies, biographies of country music stars, game shows, and reality programs...
- 1996 Top New Male Artist
GMA Canada
GMA Canada
GMA Canada is the Gospel Music Association of Canada . Created in 1974, the organization is a not for profit association whose mission is to promote the growth and ministry of Christian music arts in Canada...
Covenant Awards
Covenant Awards
The Covenant Awards are handed out annually by GMA Canada, the Gospel Music Association of Canada . Created in 1974, the association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the growth and ministry of Christian music arts in Canada...
- 2005 Country/Bluegrass Song Of The Year: "That's What I Love About Jesus"
- 2007 Seasonal Album Of The Year: A GiftA GiftA Gift is the second Christmas album by Canadian country music singer Paul Brandt. It won the 2007 Gospel Music Association of Canada Covenant Award for Seasonal Album of the Year, while the title song "A Gift" won the Seasonal Song of the Year award....
- 2007 Seasonal Song Of The Year: "A Gift"
- 2008 nominee, Artist Of The Year
- 2008 nominee, Male Vocalist Of The Year
Juno Awards
- 1997 nominee, Male Vocalist Of The Year
- 1997 Country Male Vocalist Of The Year
- 1998 Male Vocalist Of The Year
- 1998 Country Male Vocalist Of The Year
- 1998 nominee, Best Video: "A Little In Love" (Paul Brandt and Tim Hamilton)
- 1999 Best Country Male Vocalist
- 2000 nominee, Best Male Artist
- 2000 Best Country Male Artist
- 2001 Best Country Male Artist
- 2002 nominee, Best Country Artist/Group
- 2005 nominee, Country Recording Of The Year: This Time Around
- 2008 Country Recording Of The Year: Risk
- 2008 Allan Waters Humanitarian Award
Western Canadian Music Awards
Western Canadian Music Awards
The Western Canadian Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony for music in the western portion of Canada, that originated in its current form in 2003...
- 2008 Outstanding Country Recording: Risk