It all started with a song.
This is what started country music sensation Brett Kissel's career.
Currently on his We Were That Song Tour, Kissel had a few moments to speak to ElliotLakeToday to explain life on the road with family before stopping in northern Ontario cities for eager fans.
Born on May 27, 1990 in Flat Lake, Alta., Kissel is the youngest of two, having older brother Jamison as part of his support team.
"My family has always been supportive of my career choice," he said. "Ever since I got my first guitar at six years old from my grandmother, I've wanted to play. This peaked the interest of my family. Later on, my brother became supportive after seeing me perform at Team Canada events."
His grandmother gifted him his first guitar at six years old after ordering it through a Sears catalogue. This guitar, according to Kissel, is still an important memory and keepsake for him.
"I still have that guitar and I still use it," he said with a chuckle. "I'm proud of that guitar. I've made memories with it."
Growing up, Kissel's musical tastes ran from Johnny Cash to Charlie Pride and Garth Brooks. To this day, he still listens to their music.
"I'm still a huge fan of Johnny Cash, especially Man in Black," he expressed. "My grandparents had the record collection. Garth Brooks, well, he made me who I am today. I'm still a huge fan of his."
Garth Brooks would be his singer of choice to do a duet with, according to Kissel.
In 1995, at a school fundraiser, Kissel met Alberta country star, philanthropist and fundraiser auctioneer Danny Hooper. The country star invited Kissel on stage to perform The John Deere Tractor Keys. This was his first performance, one he will never forget."Seeing the lights and the fans all smiling made me want to do this more," he said. "I just love this."
At the age of 12 years old, he released his first album, Keepin' It Country. After this release, he released three more independent albums, By Request (2004), Tried and True: A Canadian Tribute (2006) and My Roots Run Deep (2008). In 2012, he wrote and recorded a song about the 2012-2013 NHL lockout, called Hockey, Please Come Back.
On May 10, 2013, he signed a recording deal with Warner Music Canada. On June 17 of that year, he released his first song, It Started With A Song. This kick-started his career and tours.
As of today, he has released three studio albums with Warner Music Canada: It Started With A Song (2013), Pick Me Up (2015) and We Were That Song (2017).
Before heading on stage to perform, Kissel said that even though he has no pre-show ritual, he does vocal warm-ups with the band.
"I need all the practice I can get so before a show, I do vocal warm-ups for about 30 minutes," he explained. "The band and I come together to say how thankful we are. Then we do our countdown of 3-2-1 before hitting the stage."
To date, Kissel's biggest musical accomplishments are being on tour with George Canyon back in 2004, opening for the singer, performing at the 2013 Canadian Country Music Awards and stepping on stage at the Grand Ole Opery.
"Every simple gig has lead to more," he expressed. "Every opportunity will lead to more opportunities."
For this tour, Kissel has brought along his wife of almost seven years, Cecilia, as well as his two daughters, Mila and Aria. Because of his daughters, he wrote the song God Made Daughters, a song he says is his most rewarding one to date.
"This song song is for my girls," he explained. "It explains the relationship with dads and daughters. I want this to be a song for them to look back on."
Hitting the road for his Sault Ste. Marie show at the end of the week, Elliot Lake resident Jacqueline Bechard said this will be her first time seeing the country artist and she couldn't be more excited.
"There are six of us going to the show this weekend and we're planning on making t-shirts to show our support for him," she explained. "We've all been fans since the beginning. Cannot wait."
Also part of the "Kissel squad," Amelie Jacques said this will be a weekend of memories.
"We rented a van and a hotel room to make a weekend out of it," she expressed. "We're huge fans. He's all we listen to. We made a pact last year that if he came to Sault Ste. Marie, we would go. So we got the tickets and are going."
Driving the girls to the show, and a fan himself, Bechard's husband, Christopher, said he's looking forward to the show.
"This has been a long time coming and it's about darn time we get to go," he said. "We're looking forward to it."
Also part of the "Kissel squad," Jaime Blais, Amanda Leclerc and Steven Beauvais all explained their excitement for the show in five days.
"This singer is the most genuine performer I have ever seen and I'm so excited to see him for the first time," said Blais. "He has inspired me so much."
Leclerc and Beauvais explained how much Kissel's music changed their perspective on life.
"I was in a dark place after the passing of my father in 2013 and I came across his song Tough People Do and it's my inspiration," said Leclerc. "Steven and I absolutely love it. It's helped me get through the passing of my father. I'm stronger now."
When asked which song they were hoping to hear, Jacques and Jacqueline said 3-2-1, Christopher said Airwaves. Pick Me Up was Blais' pick and Tough People Do the favourite for both Beauvais and Leclerc.
"I really hope he plays 3-2-1 because I just find that to be such a romantic song to sing," said Jacques. "It's so beautifully written. The video is sad and it's my favourite. I cannot wait to see him hit that stage."
The group of fans from Elliot Lake will be seeing him at The Machine Shop in Sault Ste. Marie, located at 83 Huron St.
Kissel will be performing in the north, first hitting North Bay on Feb. 23, Sudbury on Feb. 24 and Sault Ste. Marie Feb. 25.
The Sudbury concert takes place at Laurentian University's Fraser Auditorium starting at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24. Tickets cost $54.50 each, and are available through Sudbury Theatre Centre's box office.
