Country music artist Paul Brandt is getting in touch with his gospel roots. The Canadian singer-songwriter from Calgary recently released a new album featuring a gospel sound, a different direction than that of his most recent award-winning country album, Give it Away.
Released on October 16, Just As I Am is being described as "a journey back [Brandt]'s musical roots as he sings some of the most beloved Gospel songs of our time," as stated in a press release from Brandt's publicists.
"It's a great opportunity for me to openly share my faith," says Brandt. "From a musical standpoint, I had the opportunity through this album to show people where my roots are and where I came from musically, and also to remind people that this used to be normal," he adds, saying that releasing gospel albums used to be commonplace in the world of country and rock artists. |
Brandt says that his family had an impact on his decision to release Just As I Am after years of finding success with mainstream country audiences.
"It's important that [my kids] have the opportunity to grow up hearing these songs too," says Brandt, reminiscing on the impact that these classic gospel tracks had on his formational years as a young musician.
Just As I Am was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee in the former sanctuary at Ocean Way Studios and was produced by Brandt, Gordon Mote, and Ben Fowler. The album includes well-known gospel songs including "I'll Fly Away," "Just As I Am," "Old Rugged Cross," and "Amazing Grace." Just As I Am also features a number of collaborations with artists including Patty Loveless, Ricky Skaggs, Dan Tyminski, John Anderson, The Whites, The Isaacs, Jon Randall Stewart and High Valley.
While Brandt has always been outspoken regarding his life as a Christian, the new album reflects his faith more than that of his previous work. Brandt got his initial taste for music at The West Hillhurst Gospel Hall in Calgary, where he first discovered his gifts singing old tunes of faith a-cappella style. Even now after an award-winning career as a country artist, Brandt says that he continues to carry these songs with him today.
Before finding success as an artist, Brandt worked as a registered nurse at Alberta Children's Hospital. After entering the Calgary Stampede's Youth Talent Showdown, Brandt quickly left the bandages and bedpans of Calgary behind for the studios and stages of Nashville, though he eventually returned to his hometown after finding the Nashville lifestyle tiresome. In 1996, his first single, "My Heart has a History," hit number one in Canada and broke the Billboard Top 10.
Regarding the gospel influenced new album Brandt says, "These classic songs also hold universal appeal—these songs have brought, and continue to bring, joy, comfort, conviction and inspiration to the lives of many people."
Brandt is the winner of nearly 30 major music awards—Canadian Country Music, Junos, GMA Canada Covenant, Country Music, CMT (US) and Western Canadian Music—making him Canada's most awarded male country musician.Brandt is currently planning a tour for Just As I Am, expected for sometime in 2013.
"It's important that [my kids] have the opportunity to grow up hearing these songs too," says Brandt, reminiscing on the impact that these classic gospel tracks had on his formational years as a young musician.
Just As I Am was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee in the former sanctuary at Ocean Way Studios and was produced by Brandt, Gordon Mote, and Ben Fowler. The album includes well-known gospel songs including "I'll Fly Away," "Just As I Am," "Old Rugged Cross," and "Amazing Grace." Just As I Am also features a number of collaborations with artists including Patty Loveless, Ricky Skaggs, Dan Tyminski, John Anderson, The Whites, The Isaacs, Jon Randall Stewart and High Valley.
While Brandt has always been outspoken regarding his life as a Christian, the new album reflects his faith more than that of his previous work. Brandt got his initial taste for music at The West Hillhurst Gospel Hall in Calgary, where he first discovered his gifts singing old tunes of faith a-cappella style. Even now after an award-winning career as a country artist, Brandt says that he continues to carry these songs with him today.
Before finding success as an artist, Brandt worked as a registered nurse at Alberta Children's Hospital. After entering the Calgary Stampede's Youth Talent Showdown, Brandt quickly left the bandages and bedpans of Calgary behind for the studios and stages of Nashville, though he eventually returned to his hometown after finding the Nashville lifestyle tiresome. In 1996, his first single, "My Heart has a History," hit number one in Canada and broke the Billboard Top 10.
Regarding the gospel influenced new album Brandt says, "These classic songs also hold universal appeal—these songs have brought, and continue to bring, joy, comfort, conviction and inspiration to the lives of many people."
Brandt is the winner of nearly 30 major music awards—Canadian Country Music, Junos, GMA Canada Covenant, Country Music, CMT (US) and Western Canadian Music—making him Canada's most awarded male country musician.Brandt is currently planning a tour for Just As I Am, expected for sometime in 2013.
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