Brett Kissel

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Not to be confused with Brett Keisel.

Brett Kissel
Brett Kissel performing at the 2017 Canada Summer Games
Brett Kissel performing at the 2017 Canada Summer Games
Background information
Born (1990-05-27) May 27, 1990 (age 33)[1]
St. Paul, Alberta, Canada
OriginFlat Lake, Alberta, Canada
GenresCountry
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active2003–present
Labels
Websitebrettkissel.com

Brett Kissel (born May 27, 1990) is a Canadian country singer. He has achieved four number-one hits on the Canadian country chart with "Airwaves", "Drink About Me", "A Few Good Stories", and "Make a Life, Not a Living". Kissel has released the albums, Started with a Song (2013), Pick Me Up (2015), We Were That Song (2017), Now or Never (2020), What Is Life? (2021), and The Compass Project (2023).

Early life[edit]

Kissel was born in St. Paul, Alberta,[2] the son of Brenda and Gordon Kissel. He has one older brother, Jamison. He grew up on a cattle ranch in northeastern Alberta's Flat Lake region, where his family operates the Wengzynowski North View cattle ranch.

Career[edit]

2000–2011: Early years[edit]

Kissel recorded his first album, Keepin' It Country, when he was 12 years old.[3]

Kissel released three more albums, By Request in 2004, Tried and True – A Canadian Tribute in 2006 and My Roots Run Deep in 2008.[3][2] In 2006, Kissel was nominated for the Chevy Trucks Rising Star Award at the Canadian Country Music Association Awards.[4] Kissel was 16 years old at the time, making him the youngest CCMA nominee in the history of the awards show.[2]

On May 10, 2013, Kissel signed a record deal with Warner Music Canada.[5] His debut single, "Started with a Song", was released on June 17.[5] It became the most added song at Canadian country radio in its first week, surpassing a Canadian country radio record set by Taylor Swift's "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together".[6] It debuted at number 87 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 for the week of July 27, 2013.[7] The music video for the song premiered on CMT Canada on June 27.[6] Kissel's first album for Warner, also titled Started with a Song, was released on October 1, 2013.[5]

On February 14, 2014, Kissel released his third single from his Started with a Song album titled "3-2-1". On March 29, 2014, Kissel won his first Juno Award for Breakthrough Artist of the Year, and also performed on the 2014 Juno Awards broadcast on CTV alongside OneRepublic, Tegan and Sara, Bachman–Turner Overdrive and The Sheepdogs.[8]

In September 2014, Kissel led all country singers with eight nominations[9] for the Canadian Country Music Awards held in Edmonton, Alberta.

2015–2018: Pick Me Up and We Were That Song[edit]

In September 2017 Kissel won Male Artist of the Year, Interactive Artist of the Year, Country Music Program or Special of the Year and Video of the Year for I Didn't Fall in Love With Your Hair at the 2017 Canadian Country Music Awards.[10] He also released a new album We Were That Song on December 8, 2017.[11] In 2018 he went on a tour across Canada to support the album.[12]

2019–2021: Now or Never, What Is Life?[edit]

In September 2019, Kissel released his first American country radio single "Drink About Me",[13] the lead single from his fourth major-label album Now or Never which was released on January 1, 2020.[14][15] "Drink About Me" would become Kissel's second number one on the Canada Country chart, but wouldn't find a place on the American Country Billboard chart.[16] "She Drives Me Crazy" was released as the second single off the album in February 2020.[17]

In September 2020, Kissel released this third single off Now or Never, "A Few Good Stories"[18] and picked up 4 CCMA Awards, winning Male Artist of the Year, Fan's Choice, Creative Director, and Album of the Year for Now it Never.[19] Kissel then signed his first American record deal with Verge Records, a Nashville-based partner of ONErpm.[20] "A Few Good Stories" became Kissel's third Number One on Canada Country,[21] "She Drives Me Crazy" became Kissel's second Platinum-certified single,[22] and "Drink About Me" was nominated for Single of the Year at the 2021 Juno Awards.[23]

In March 2021, Kissel released the single "Make a Life, Not a Living", and announced his fifth major-label album What Is Life?, which was released on April 9, 2021.[24] "Make a Life, Not a Living" debuted by setting a record as the most-added song at Canadian country radio in a single week ever.[25] It later became his fourth career Number One at Canadian country radio,[21] and his first song to chart in the top 50 of the Billboard Canadian Hot 100.[26] Kissel won the "Fans' Choice" award at the 2021 Canadian Country Music Awards in November 2021.[27]

2022-present: The Compass Project[edit]

In 2022, he released the single "Ain't the Same" with American vocal group 98 Degrees.[28][29] Along with its follow-up single "Watch It", the song was included on Kissel's studio album The Compass Project - South Album, which was released on January 27, 2023. The entire box set will see Kissel release four different albums as part of The Compass Project in 2023.[30][31] The South Album also included the single "Never Have I Ever", which was released in January 2023 alongside the official announcement of the project.[32] The "East Album" was released on April 28, 2023.[33][32] Kissel was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for outstanding contributions to the Province of Alberta in April 2023.[34] In September 2023, he released the single "Two of Us" with American country artist Cooper Alan.[35] Kissel released the "West Album" on November 3, 2023, and followed with the live "North Album" on December 1, 2023.[36][37] The South Album received a nomination for Country Album of the Year at the 2024 Juno Awards.[38]

Personal life[edit]

Brett Kissel married Cecilia Friesen in July 2011 in Edmonton, Alberta. They lived in Nashville, Tennessee for several years. In 2016, Cecilia gave birth to their first daughter.[39] Over the next six years, she gave birth to their second daughter, and two sons.[40] Kissel and his family now reside on his family farm in northern Alberta.[41]

Discography[edit]

Studio albums[edit]

Title Details Peak positions Certifications
CAN
[42] 		US
Heat
[43]
Keepin' It Country
  • Release date: September 12, 2003
  • Label: BAK 2 BAK Entertainment Inc.
 — —
By Request
  • Release date: September 26, 2004
  • Label: BAK 2 BAK Entertainment Inc.
 — —
Tried and True – A Canadian Tribute
  • Release date: March 5, 2006
  • Label: BAK 2 BAK Entertainment Inc.
 — —
My Roots Run Deep
  • Release date: May 9, 2008
  • Label: BAK 2 BAK Entertainment Inc.
 — —
Started with a Song 22 —
Pick Me Up
  • Release date: September 11, 2015
  • Label: Warner Music Canada
 7 —
We Were That Song
  • Release date: December 8, 2017
  • Label: Warner Music Canada
 29 —
Now or Never
  • Release date: January 1, 2020
  • Label: Warner Music Canada
 43 18
What Is Life?
  • Release date: April 9, 2021
  • Label: Warner Music Canada / ONErpm
 — —
The Compass Project – South Album
  • Release date: January 27, 2023
  • Label: Big Star Recordings / ONErpm
 — —
The Compass Project – East Album
  • Release date: April 28, 2023
  • Label: Big Star Recordings / ONErpm
 — —
The Compass Project – West Album
  • Release date: November 3, 2023[36]
  • Label: Big Star Recordings / ONErpm
 — —
The Compass Project – North Album
  • Release date: December 1, 2023[44]
  • Label: Big Star Recordings / ONErpm
 — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles[edit]

As lead artist[edit]

Single Year Peak chart
positions 		Certifications Album
CAN Country
[21] 		CAN
[26]
"Started with a Song" 2013 3 58 Started with a Song
"Raise Your Glass" 7 88
"3-2-1" 2014 3 52
"Tough People Do" 9 99
"Something You Just Don't Forget" 5 91
"Airwaves" 2015 1 61 Pick Me Up
"Pick Me Up" 6 86
"Cool with That" 2016 8 —
"I Didn't Fall in Love with Your Hair"
(featuring Carolyn Dawn Johnson) 		16 88
"She's Desire" 2017 6 —
"We Were That Song" 4 —[A] We Were That Song
"Anthem" 2018 8 —
"Guitars & Gasoline" 8 —
"Cecilia" 8 —
"Drink About Me" 2019 1 61 Now or Never
"She Drives Me Crazy" 2020 12 78
"A Few Good Stories" 1 62
"Make a Life, Not a Living" 2021 1 49 What Is Life?
"Night in the Life" 15 —
"Ain't the Same"
(featuring 98 Degrees) 		2022 33 —[B] The Compass Project – South Album
"Watch It" 11 —
"Never Have I Ever" 2023 22 —
"Two of Us"
(with Cooper Alan) 		6 —[C] TBA
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

As featured artist[edit]

Year Single Peak positions Album
CAN Country
[21]
2021 "Somewhere to Drink"
(Nate Haller featuring Brett Kissel and the Reklaws) 		25 Party in the Back

Christmas singles[edit]

Year Single Peak positions Album
CAN Country
[21]
2014 "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" 45 Non-album singles
"Not So Perfect Christmas" 48
2020 "Frosty the Snowman" 39
2023 "I Want a Massey Ferguson for Christmas" 51

Promotional singles[edit]

Year Single Album
2012 "Hockey, Please Come Back"[46] Non-album single
2017 "Nights in the Sun"[47]
(featuring Grandpa Bear) 		We Were That Song
2018 "Love Them a Little"[48] Non-album singles
2021 "Wannabes"[49]
2022 "Our Home"[50] The Compass Project – South Album
2023 "Spend a Little Time With You"[33] The Compass Project – East Album
"Nowhere"[51]
"Missin You in San Antone"[52] The Compass Project – West Album
"Deer Blind"[36]

Music videos[edit]

Year Video Director
2012 "Hockey, Please Come Back" Blake McWilliam
2013 "Started with a Song"[53] Margaret Malandruccolo
"Raise Your Glass"
2014 "3-2-1" Shaun Silva
"Tough People Do" Lisa Mann
"Something You Just Don't Forget"
2015 "Canadian Kid" Mike Peleshok
"Airwaves" Ben Knechtel
"Pick Me Up"[54] Blake McWilliam
2016 "Cool with That" Ben Knechtel
"I Didn't Fall in Love with Your Hair"
2017 "We Were That Song" Blake McWilliam
2018 "Anthem"
"Guitars and Gasoline" Ben Dartnell
"Cecilia" Blake McWilliam
"Love Them a Little" Jim Wright
2019 "Drink, Cuss, or Fish" Ben Dartnell
"Drink About Me" Blake McWilliam
2020 "She Drives Me Crazy" Emma Higgins / Brett Kissel
"A Few Good Stories"
(with Walk Off the Earth) 		Chris Di Staulo
"Coffee with Her"
"Young Enough" Ben Dartnell
2021 "Make a Life, Not a Living" Megan Jackson
"Somewhere to Drink"
(with Nate Haller and The Reklaws) 		Ben Knechtel
2022 "Ain't the Same"
(with 98 Degrees) 		Aaron Huisman
"Our Home"
2023 "Never Have I Ever" Ben Dartnell / Connor Scheffler
2024 "Two of Us"
(with Cooper Alan

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year Award Category Result
2006 Canadian Country Music Association Chevy Trucks Rising Star Award Nominated
2007 Chevy Trucks Rising Star Award Nominated
2014 Juno Awards Breakthrough Artist of the Year Won
Country Album of the Year – Started with a Song Nominated
Association of Country Music in Alberta Awards Rising Star Award Won
Single of the Year Award – "Started with a Song" Won
Canadian Country Music Association Male Artist of the Year Nominated
Album of the Year – Started with a Song Nominated
Single of the Year – "Started with a Song" Nominated
Songwriter of the Year – "Started with a Song" Nominated
CMT Video of the Year – "3-2-1" Won
Interactive Artist of the Year Won
2015 Association of Country Music in Alberta Awards Male Artist of the Year Won
Country Album of the Year – Started with a Song Won
Single of the Year – "3-2-1" Won
Canadian Country Music Association Male Artist of the Year Nominated
Single of the Year – "3-2-1" Nominated
Video of the Year – "Tough People Do" Nominated
Interactive Artist of the Year Won
2016 Juno Awards Country Album of the Year – Pick Me Up Nominated
Canadian Country Music Association Male Artist of the Year Won
Interactive Artist of the Year Won
Fan's Choice Award Won
Single of the Year – "Airwaves" Nominated
2017 Canadian Country Music Association Male Artist of the Year Won
Single of the Year – "Cool With That" Nominated
Video of the Year – "I Didn't Fall In Love With Your Hair" Won
Songwriter of the Year – "Cool With That" (with Ted Hewitt, Phil O'Donnell) Nominated
Interactive Artist or Group of the Year Won
2018 Canadian Country Music Association Male Artist of the Year Nominated
Fan's Choice Award Nominated
Country Album of the Year – We Were That Song Nominated
Video of the Year – "We Were That Song" Nominated
Interactive Artist of the Year Won
Western Canadian Music Awards Country Artist of the Year Nominated
2019 Juno Awards Country Album of the Year – We Were That Song Won
Canadian Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year Nominated
Fans' Choice Award Won
Interactive Artist of the Year Nominated
Male Artist of the Year Nominated
Songwriter of the Year – "Cecilia" (with Seth Mosley, Brad Rempel) Nominated
Western Canadian Music Awards Country Artist of the Year Won
2020 Canadian Country Music Association Album Of The Year - Now Or Never Won
Entertainer Of The Year Nominated
Fans' Choice Award Won
Male Artist Of The Year Won
Video Of The Year - "Drink About Me" Nominated
2021 Juno Awards of 2021 Single of the Year - "Drink About Me" Nominated
2021 Canadian Country Music Awards Album of the Year - What is Life? Nominated
Entertainer Of The Year Nominated
Fans' Choice Award Won[27]
Male Artist Of The Year Nominated
Video Of The Year - "Make a Life, Not a Living" Won[55]
2022 Juno Awards of 2022 Country Album of the Year - What is Life? Won
Single of the Year - "Make a Life, Not a Living" Nominated
Canadian Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year Nominated[56]
Fans' Choice Nominated[57]
Male Artist of the Year Nominated
Single of the Year - "Make a Life, Not a Living" Nominated
2023 Canadian Country Music Association Fans' Choice Nominated[58]
Male Artist of the Year Nominated
2024 Juno Awards Country Album of the Year - The Compass Project - South Album Nominated

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ "We Were That Song" did not enter the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, but peaked at number 34 on the Canadian Digital Song Sales component chart.[45]
  2. ^ "Ain't the Same" did not enter the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, but peaked at number 31 on the Canadian Digital Song Sales component chart.[45]
  3. ^ "Two of Us" did not enter the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, but peaked at number 9 on the Canadian Digital Song Sales component chart.[45]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Country Music Legend – George Jones – Passes Away Today". Brett Kissel. April 26, 2013. Archived from the original on March 6, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c Murray, Tom (June 14, 2013). "Country singer Brett Kissel heads to Nashville". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  3. ^ a b "Allied Arts Presents Brett Kissel". Vermilion Voice Test. November 21, 2011. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  4. ^ Feniak, Jenny (September 9, 2006). "Road Hammers will open CCMAs". Edmonton Sun. Archived from the original on August 2, 2013. Retrieved August 2, 2013.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. ^ a b c Mendler, Andrew (May 21, 2013). "Brett Kissel signs record deal with Warner". Bonnyville Nouvelle. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  6. ^ a b Huser, Janice (July 9, 2013). "Kissel's 'Started With A Song' breaks radio record". St. Paul Journal. Archived from the original on July 24, 2013. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  7. ^ "Canada Singles Top 100 (July 27, 2013) – Music Charts". acharts.us. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  8. ^ Sperounes, Sandra. "Alberta's Brett Kissel wins Juno for Breakthrough Artist of the Year". Edmontonjournal.com.
  9. ^ "Brett Kissel leads 2014 CCMA Awards nominations" Toronto Sun, July 16, 2014.
  10. ^ "Complete List of 2017 CCMA Award Winners – Canadian Country Music Association". Canadian Country Music Association. Archived from the original on November 24, 2018. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
  11. ^ "Brett Kissel – We Were That Song – Album Review – Tour Bus Entertainment". Tour Bus Entertainment. December 7, 2017. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
  12. ^ Cooke, Stephen (December 20, 2018). "The best Nova Scotia concerts of 2018". The Chronicle Herald. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  13. ^ Dearmore, Kelly (September 17, 2019). "Canadian Cowboy Brett Kissel Rides into the United States with 'Drink About Me'". Sounds Like Nashville. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  14. ^ Williams, Rob (January 2, 2020). "'Now or Never': Brett Kissel celebrates new album". CTV News. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  15. ^ Thompson, Gayle (February 10, 2020). "Brett Kissel Reflects on Big Move From Canada to the United States in New Album, 'Now or Never' (Exclusive)". Popculture.com. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  16. ^ Dagg, Nanci (January 21, 2020). "Brett Kissel's new single "Drink About Me" earned a top spot on the charts last week". Canadian Beats Media. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  17. ^ Bickell, Dutch (February 1, 2020). "Brett Kissel releases new single and video, "She Drives Me Crazy"". Canadian Beats Media.
  18. ^ "TMS Couch-ella: Country singer Brett Kissel performs 'A Few Good Stories'". Global News. September 15, 2020.
  19. ^ "Brett Kissel wins big at CCMA Awards". DurhamRegion.com. September 28, 2020.
  20. ^ Lorie, Hollabaugh (September 30, 2020). "Brett Kissel Inks Deal With Verge Records". MusicRow Magazine.
  21. ^ a b c d e "Brett Kissel Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Canadian certifications – Brett Kissel". Music Canada. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  23. ^ Gordon, Holly (March 9, 2021). "The Weeknd, JP Saxe, Jessie Reyez and Justin Bieber lead 2021 Juno Award nominations". CBC Music.
  24. ^ Meister, Lauren (March 4, 2021). "Brett Kissel says new record is heart driven not hit driven". CochraneNow.
  25. ^ Dagg, Nanci (March 22, 2021). "Brett Kissel releases video for "Make a Life Not a Living"". Canadian Beats Media.
  26. ^ a b "Brett Kissel Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  27. ^ a b Samhan, Jamie (November 30, 2021). "2021 CCMA Awards winners list: Dallas Smith voted entertainer of the year". Global News.
  28. ^ Ellwood-Hughes, Pip (April 23, 2022). "Brett Kissel And 98 Degrees Team Up For "Ain't The Same"". Entertainment Focus. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  29. ^ Bowman, Bethany (May 7, 2022). "Brett Kissel and 98° Team Up for New Single, 'Ain't the Same'". Tennessee Star. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  30. ^ Harris, Preshias (October 31, 2022). "Brett Kissel covers four points of the compass with new project". Country Music News International. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  31. ^ Hollabaugh, Lorie (January 10, 2023). "Brett Kissel To Release Four-Part 'The Compass Project'". Music Row Magazine. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  32. ^ a b Dagg, Nanci (January 12, 2023). "Brett Kissel rings in 2023 with his biggest endeavor yet, The Compass Project, and the release of his latest single "Never Have I Ever"". Canadian Beats Media. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  33. ^ a b "BRETT KISSEL PLANS TO DROP SECOND INSTALLMENT OF "THE COMPASS PROJECT" "EAST ALBUM" ON APRIL 28, 2023". Music City Memo. March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  34. ^ "Brett Kissel's "East Album": A Review of the Compass Project's First Two Entries". Front Porch Music. May 5, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  35. ^ Melanson, Jenna (September 15, 2023). "BRETT KISSEL & COOPER ALAN TEAM UP ON "TWO OF US" DUET". Canadian Beats Media. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  36. ^ a b c Dagg, Nanci (October 23, 2023). "BRETT KISSEL SHARES NEW SINGLE, "DEER BLIND"". Canadian Beats Media. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  37. ^ "The Compass Project – North Album (Live) by Brett Kissel". Apple Music. December 1, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  38. ^ "Junos 2024: full list of winners". CBC Music, March 23, 2024.
  39. ^ "ET Canada | Blog – Country Singer Brett Kissel Welcomes New Baby Girl, Mila". etcanada. Archived from the original on January 20, 2016. Retrieved February 10, 2016.
  40. ^ Harper, Zachary (May 15, 2022). "Brett Kissel opens up about family and what he learned during the coronavirus pandemic". Hello Magazine. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  41. ^ "EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: BRETT KISSEL DISCUSSES 'SOUTH ALBUM' PROJECT". Music and Tour News. February 7, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  42. ^ "Brett Kissel Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  43. ^ "Brett Kissel Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  44. ^ "The Compass Project – North Album (Live) by Brett Kissel". Apple Music. December 1, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  45. ^ a b c "Brett Kissel Chart History (Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  46. ^ "Brett Kissel: Hockey, Please Come Back – Music on Google Play". Google Play. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
  47. ^ "Nights in the Sun – Brett Kissel | Release Info". AllMusic. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
  48. ^ "Love Them a Little – Brett Kissel". AllMusic. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  49. ^ MacEachern, Meagan (June 4, 2021). "Brett Kissel releases new single "Wannabes"". LakelandToday. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  50. ^ "Our Home – Brett Kissel". Spotify. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  51. ^ "Nowhere – Brett Kissel". Spotify. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  52. ^ "Missin You in San Antone – Brett Kissel". Spotify. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  53. ^ "Brett Kissel – "Started With a Song"". That's Country. July 4, 2013. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  54. ^ DeDekker, Jeff (November 13, 2015). "Brett Kissel riding wave of success into show at Casino Regina". Leader-Post. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
  55. ^ Kennedy, John R. (September 21, 2021). "The Reklaws Lead 2021 CCMA Awards Nominations". iHeartRadio.ca. Bell Media.
  56. ^ "2022 CCMA AWARD NOMINEES". Canadian Country Music Association. July 20, 2022. Archived from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  57. ^ "TENILLE TOWNES TAKES HOME FOUR WINS AT THE 2022 CCMA AWARDS PRESENTED BY TD". Canadian Country Music Association (Press release). Global News Wire. September 11, 2022. Archived from the original on September 12, 2022.
  58. ^ "2023 CCMA Awards Nominees". Canadian Country Music Association. July 13, 2023. Archived from the original on July 14, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.

External links[edit]

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