By Chris Brown on July 18, 2019.
cbrown@medicinehatnews.com@MHNBrown
Brett Kissel knows exactly who deserves the credit for his success. The fans.
Sure, they’re not the ones with the undeniable stage presence, the knack for writing hit songs or the voice that seems like it was made to sing country music. But if the fans aren’t picking up what Kissel’s putting down, he’d just be a guy singing in his shower.
Instead, he’s got five nominations at this year’s Canadian Country Music Association awards, including entertainer of the year. For Kissel though, the Apple Music Fans’ Choice award nod stands out and that’s why he posted a note of gratitude and appreciation on his social media channels hours after the nominations were announced.
“It’s a very special feeling and something I don’t take for granted,” Kissel said this week. “So I wanted to post that on social media to thank everybody, to thank them for this incredible life that I get to live and to thank them for having my back for a lot of years.”
Should he win the fans’ choice award at the September ceremony, the trophy will have quite the adventure.
“Who’s to say that I should keep that on a mantle in my house. Let’s take it on a tour, let’s do a Stanley Cup party, let’s win it together.”
Voting for the award is open now at ccma.org/applemusicfanschoice and fans can vote by streaming applemusic.com/CCMAawards.
Kissel will help kick off the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede on July 24 with special guests Hunter Brothers at 8 p.m.
The CCMA nominations continued a wave of success Kissel’s had in recent months, like winning country album of the year at the Juno Awards in March and being chosen to open for Garth Brooks in Regina on Aug. 9.
The accolades couldn’t come at a better time for the Alberta singer, who says country music as a whole has been killing it over the past couple of years, outselling and outstreaming other genres.
The growing inclusiveness of country music has fueled that, noting that previously country music was stuck “very much in a box.” Now, he says, it’s Florida Georgia Line duets with Bebe Rexha and Backstreet Boys, it’s Chris Stapleton’s traditional sound, it’s Carrie Underwood’s pop, it’s right down the middle like Brad Paisley and it’s straight ahead entertainment from Garth Brooks.
Kissel himself had duets with Dave Mustaine of Megadeth and country legend Charley pride back-to-back on his “We Were That Song” record.
“When it won the Juno, I’ve been trying to justify how that happened and I think it was because it was a very diverse record. We had not just a little bit of something for everybody, we had a lot of everything for everybody. And that’s how we do our show,” he said. “That’s the way it it’s going to be at Stampede.”
Kissel, who is currently working on a new album, said he always feeds off the crowd’s energy, and he might need it a little more than usual next week. He has no plans of resting prior to the show.
He and his wife have a new mandate to soak in everything they can while on the road.
“If theres’a a midway I’m probably going to go on a few rides. If there’s mini donuts I never miss ’em,” he said. “If there’s a place for a cold beer and to go and just visit with people, maybe be a little incognito, I love that. That actually think that makes the show better because I can talk about a story of meeting somebody or doing something or an hour ago I was on the rollercoaster or the Zipper or whatever. If you saw somebody screaming heir head off like a little elementary school girl, well it was me. I’m sorry.”
Kissel, Hunter Brothers big fans of each other
Hunter Brothers may be billed as special guests, but Brett Kissel sees them as much more. He says this isn’t just a headline show with an opener.
“If there’s anything I’m nervous about playing at the Medicine Hat Stampede it’s following the Hunter Brothers because they’re that good,” he said, “Make sure to get a ticket and come early to enjoy the full experience.”
Kissel adds the brothers are incredible family guys who put on an outstanding live show.
J.J. Hunter is just as impressed with Kissel.
“He’s done an amazing job in country music, interacting with people and being there for the fans and great causes and everything else,” he said. “We’re thrilled to be part of the event.”
Tickets for the show start at $52 and are available at mhstampede.com, by calling 403-527-1234, or in person at the Medicine Hat Stampede office or the Medicine Hat Mall customer service desk. Full night show packages are also available.