‘Catch of the Day’ – Brad Paisley – “Heaven South” [AUDIO]

Today we turn to an artist who seems to only want to sing to give his fingers a break from playing his guitar. A guitar player so good that he has been named not only the best guitar player in country music, but by many, the best of any genre, and one of the best all-time.

Brad Paisley has won Grammys, CMA awards and ACM Awards; he has sold over 12 million albums and become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. His songs have appeared in movies and TV commercials, and written two best-selling books. But when it comes down to it, he is a guitar player who just loves playin'.

Paisley was 8 years old when his grandfather, Warren Jarvis, bought him a Sears Danelectro Silvertone, and taught young Brad to play. By age 10, Paisley performed publicly for the first time, singing at his church. He wrote his first song at age 13; the song, "Born on Christmas Day" would later appear on Paisley's holiday album, entitled appropriately enough, Brad Paisley Christmas. By 13 he had graduated from his grandfather's tutoring to that of a local professional, and also started his first band, Brad Paisley and the C-Notes.

While in high school, Paisley's principal heard him sing and invited him to perform at a local Rotary Club meeting, where the program director of the local radio station heard "Born on Christmas Day" and asked the teenager to be a guest on Jamboree USA, where Paisley would become a regular member after just one performance, opening for artists like George Jones and The Judds. Paisley would later become the youngest artist ever inducted into the Jamboree USA Hall of Fame.

After graduating from John Marshall High School, Paisley attended West Liberty State College in his home state of West Virginia. After two years at West Liberty State, the singer was awarded a full ASCAP scholarship to Belmont University in Nashville. In 1995, Paisley graduated with a Bachelors degree in Business Management from the

school's Mike Curb School of Music Business. Within a week of graduating, Brad singed a publishing deal with EMI Music Publishing, where he wrote hits for David Kersh and David Ball, and met future song writing partner Chris DuBois.

In 1998, Paisley signed with Arista Records Nashville, releasing his debut album, Who Needs Pictures, in February of 1999. His first #1 single, "He Didn't Have To Be" would soon follow, as would the 2000 CMA Horizon Award, for best newcomer. 17 years, 11 studio albums, 1 holiday and 3 compilation albums, 34 top-10 singles and 19 #1 hits later, Paisley's partnership with Arista is still strong as the first day he signed with the label. He is heading into his 10th year co-hosting the CMA Awards with Carry Underwood, and he was one of the driving forces behind last year's #1 hit, the Arists of Then, Now and Forever and "Forever Country".

It's good to be Brad Paisley. Today he is getting a chance to shine in our spotlight, with the latest single from his current album, Love and War. Brought to you by All American Super Car Wash of Lawton, Brad and "Heaven South" is today's Catch of the Day, new music you haven't heard, but you'll want to hear it again.

Text today’s key word to 580 353-1013, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card from All American Super Car Wash of Lawton, presenting the Catch of the Day on Oklahoma’s Best Country KLAW101.

Today’s Key Word: “HEAVEN”