VOANews.com

 
News in 45 Languages
Brad Paisley Shows Off Guitar Skills on 'Play'


17 January 2009

Play
In addition to being a talented singer and songwriter, Country star Brad Paisley is a highly skilled guitarist. He showcases his guitar playing on his latest album, Play.

"Come On In" is one of four vocal tracks on Brad Paisley's new album. His late friend Buck Owens wrote and made a demo of the song shortly before his death in 2006. The Owens family sent it to Brad, who then added his own tracks. Brad also duets on Play with Keith Urban, Steve Wariner and blues legend B.B. King.

The remaining 10 songs on Play focus on Brad's guitar work in a variety of styles, including Country, rock, blues, jazz and even surf music. Brad understands that Play might not be a popular choice for his mainstream Country fans.

"This is a different album," he says. "It's the type of thing that my fans, I think some of them will buy it and say, 'Why aren't you singing more?' But, that's the point. This is kind of a side, curveball, art piece that we did just to, sort of, show who I am."

Brad wrote "Huckleberry Jam" for two-year-old son Huck. Play also includes the instrumental ballad "Kim," which he dedicates to his wife, actress Kimberly Williams Paisley.  

Brad Paisley
Brad Paisley
Brad won his first Grammy Award last year for Best Country Instrumental Performance. He recently earned two more Grammy nominations. Brad's up for Best Country Male Vocal Performance for "Letter To Me" from his previous album 5th Gear. He also shares a Best Country Instrumental nomination with seven guitar greats, including Vince Gill, Albert Lee and James Burton for Play's collaborative track, "Cluster Pluck."  

2009 will be another busy and exciting year for Brad. On January 15, he begins another round of dates on his "Paisley Party" tour. Weeks after he wraps up the outing in mid-March, Brad and his wife will welcome their second child.  

Brad is joined by Country star Keith Urban on the first single from Play, the Top 5 hit, "Start A Band."


Listen to This Report Morningstar report
Download  (MP3)
Listen to This Report Morningstar report
Listen (MP3)
E-mail This Article E-mail This Article
Print This Article Print Version
  Related Stories
2008 Marks Year of the Newcomers in Country Music
Fan Favorites Win Big at CMA Awards
Billy Currington Strikes Optimistic Tone on 'Little Bit of Everything'
Darius Rucker Earns Praise for Solo Country Album   'Learn To Live'
Country Trio Lady Antebellum's Fame On the Rise
 
  Top Story
Zuma Sworn In as South Africa's President

  More Stories
Pope Condemns 'Ideological Manipulation of Religion'
Obama to Travel to Egypt, Give Speech to Muslim World
Pope Expresses Respect for Islam During Jordan Visit  Audio Clip Available
Pakistan Army Steps Up Swat Offensive  Audio Clip Available
Gates Encouraged by Afghan Visit, But Wants More Afghan Government Support  Audio Clip Available
US Renews Syria Sanctions Despite Outreach to Damascus
U.S. Commander says Iraq Withdrawal on Track
African Union Issues Mild Rebuke to Sudanese-backed Chadian Rebels
US Military: Reports of Afghan Civilian Deaths 'Exaggerated'
Obama: Swine Flu Not As Virulent As Feared
US Jobless Rate Up to 8.9 Percent,  Highest in 26 Years  Audio Clip Available
10 Major US Banks Told to Raise $75 Billion  Audio Clip Available
Red Cross: Sri Lankan Fighting is Hampering Rescue of Civilians
US Envoy Warns Second N. Korean Nuclear Test Will Bring Consequences
Singapore Fugitive Islamist Leader Captured in Malaysia  Video clip available
Hong Kong Ends Hotel Flu Quarantine  Audio Clip Available
Asia Health Ministers to Boost Output of Antiviral Drugs Due to Flu Threat
Sudan Says It Will Welcome New International NGOs
Last Year's Devastating China Earthquake Leaves Behind City of Rubble  Video clip available