Following a recent move to Nashville, it appears that local musician Brett Kissel is finding success in the music industry.
The 22-year old country singer from Flat Lake has signed with the well-known record label Warner Music. Kissel already has two independent albums to his name, along with a couple prior nominations with the Canadian Country Music Awards.
Kissel has also recently embarked on a promotional tour across Canada.
“This is a very fresh and exciting time for my family and I,” says Kissel. “Signing on with Warner is something I’m really enthusiastic about. I’ve always liked to sing and perform. I’ve been playing guitar since I was seven years old. I’ve grown up playing music – it’s a part of me.”
Kissel has always been known to be comfortable in the spotlight, and he has sought that spotlight since a very young age.
“I craved the spotlight. Any opportunity to stand up on the couch and belt out a tune when I was three or fours years old, I always took,” he admits in a press release from Warner.
His grandmother helped set his sights on glory just before he turned seven, buying him a guitar for Christmas. By the time he was 10, Kissel reminisces, he was playing Johnny Cash songs at talent shows.
At the age of 13, Kissel played for a local 4-H Club, and received a $50 honorarium for doing so.
“I realized I could do this for a living,” he admits in the release. “Usually, it took me two birthdays and a really generous tooth fairy to make $50. And I made that in 20 minutes just playing and singing songs. I was over the moon.”
Kissel’s influence and inspiration come from country greats like Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, Buck Owens and George Strait. Kissel is touted as playing the new wave of country music, drawing on country’s emotional roots, dealing with the highs and lows of love and sentimentality, with plenty of foot-tapping songs reminiscent of having a good time.
With his recent success, Kissel is quick to thank his family, friends, and everyone else from back home.
“I don’t think I’d be where I am today without the support of St. Paul and the surrounding communities. I’ve been to concerts, events, and the Lakeland Rodeo. My friends, family, and teachers have always been really accommodating to my schedule. It was all so I could get to the next step of my career.”
Kissel plans on releasing a new single on June 17, and his first major studio album entitled Started With a Song will be released in the fall, following the 2013 Canadian Country Music Awards.
