Paul Brandt

Infobox Musical artist |


Name = Paul Brandt
Landscape =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Paul Rennee Belobersycky
Alias =
Born = birth date and age|1972|07|21
Died =
Origin = Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Instruments = Vocals, rhythm guitar
Genre = Country
Occupation = Singer-songwriter
Years_active = 1996-present
Label = Reprise, Brand-T, Orange
Associated_acts = Phil Vassar
URL = [http://www.paulbrandt.com/ www.paulbrandt.com]

Paul Brandt (born Paul Rennee Belobersycky July 21, 1972 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada), is a Canadian country music artist. He is the most awarded male country musician in Canadian history.fact|date=January 2008 Brandt's music has been used by Dave Matthews and Johnny Cash on the epic Mel Gibson "We Were Soldiers" soundtrack, a duet of the song written by Paul Brandt and Steve Rosen called "For You." Growing up in Airdrie, 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 US 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.

Career

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.

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. "Small Towns and Big Dreams" and "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'" and "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 classic Gordon Lightfoot track.

Brandt released his latest album, "Risk", in September 2007. The album features a cover of Contemporary Christian artist Nichole Nordeman's song, "Hold On." 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. [ [http://www.radioandrecords.com/Formats/Charts/YearEnd/07/Canada_Country_songs.asp R&R Top Canada Country Songs] ] In his home town on April 6. 2008, Paul won a Juno Award for "Risk" as Country Recording of the Year.

Paul Brandt continues to tour Canada, while playing in front of audiences in the USA occasionally.

Personal life

Brandt and his wife are heavily involved in programs such as Samaritan's Purse 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 is also currently a spokesman for Ford motor company. Right now Brandt and his wife, Liz, reside near Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Brandt and his wife, Elizabeth Peterson, welcomed their first child, Joseph Peterson Brandt, on May 15, 2008. [cite web |url=http://www.celebrity-babies.com/2008/05/paul-brandt.html |title=Paul Brandt welcomes first child, son Joseph Peterson |accessdate=2008-05-30 |format= |work=Celebrity Baby Blog]

Discography

Awards

Canadian Country Music Awards
*Album of the Year, "This Time Around" (2005)
*CMT Video of the Year, "Convoy" (2005)
*Male Artist of the Year (2002)
*Album of the Year, "Small Towns and Big Dreams" (2002)
*Male Artist of the Year (2000)
*Video of the Year, "That's the Truth" (2000)
*Male Artist of the Year (1999)
*Male Artist of the Year (1998)
*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" (1997)
*SOCAN Song of the Year, "My Heart Has A History" (1996)

GMA Canada Covenant Awards
*Country/Bluegrass Song of the Year, "That's What I Love About Jesus" (2005)

Juno Awards
*Best Country Recording (2008)
*Best Country Male Artist (2001)
*Best Country Male Vocalist (2000)
*Best Country Male Vocalist (1999)
*Best Male Vocalist (1998)
*Best Country Male Vocalist (1998)
*Best Country Male Vocalist (1997)

Country Music Association
*Global Artist of the Year (2005)

CMT (United States)
*Top New Male Artist (1996)

References

External links

* [http://www.paulbrandt.com Paul Brandt website]
* [http://www.cmt.ca/Artists/All/Mini/Bio/Artists/PaulBrandt.aspx Paul Brandt bio on CMT.ca]