Millions of country music fans already know who Brad Cotter is. They know he is the "1st Place Winner" of USA Network's Nashville Star in 2004. He is a 35-year-old singer-songwriter from Opelika, Alabama. And that he is the somewhat rebellious son of a Southern Baptist preacher. What some people don't know is what he has accomplished prior to and during his success.
He practically learned to sing before he could walk. He even had a career as a child gospel star. In fact, Brad released his first recordings with a southern-gospel record label at the age of twelve. Several other recordings would follow - well into his teenage years.
Despite scoring several top-25 regional hits on the gospel scene, Brad ventured out into other styles of music also delving into Country, Rock, and Blues.
"After several years of playing in juke joints and frat-houses around the southeast with all my friends in cover bands," Brad says, "I think I'll give Nashville a try!"
In 1993 he moved to Nashville, TN and signed a development deal with RCA Records soon after his arrival. Brad pursued his dream for the next ten years. Playing live as often as possible and writing music with several other talented songwriters. He signed his own publishing deals with EMI and Warner Chappell publishing companies, while singing on all the studio demo work he could find just to make ends meet.
Between 2001 and 2003, some of Brad's songs ended up as cuts on "other artists" albums. While he began working on his own project, along came a reality television program that his friends and family began to coax him into trying out for - Nashville Star.
"I thought, even if I make it on one week of the show," Brad says, "It may lead through some other doors for me."
The doors opened. Millions of viewers voted for him over a nine-week, multi-episode national television program. Brad won first place over literally thousands of talented performers who auditioned from around the world.
He immediately began recording his debut album release on Epic Records. PATIENT MAN was released in July '05. His first single "I Meant To" quickly broke the record for the highest chart debut by a new country artist since 1990 entering the charts at #42. Billboard reported it as the "second highest selling single of the year" on the country charts.
Brad co-wrote "I Meant To" and five other songs on his debut release with his co-producers Steve Bogard and Rick Giles. "We just picked our favorites from the dozens we had already written together," Brad says.
Even the songs on the album that Brad didn't write seemed tailor-made for him. "They really do seem to represent my background and what I'm all about" says Brad.
Brad is grateful he has been able to showcase his talent to a national and international audience since the TV show. But much more than that, he is thankful to have had the opportunity for his music to touch such a wide spectrum of individuals.
Brad has toured internationally entertaining our troops on USO Tours, headlining shows with his "High Octane" five-piece band. And more recently, playing in front of larger crowds opening for such well-known artists as Hank Williams, Jr., Brooks & Dunn, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson, and Big & Rich just to name a few.
Equally at home behind a piano or with a guitar, Brad is also very comfortable performing in a more intimate setting (theaters, small clubs). A somewhat more "scaled-back" acoustic show or even solo appearances can also be an asset in highlighting his talent.
Brad has also taken part and lended his support to various charitable events and fundraisers. He has recorded a single for The Department of National Defense. The profits from that song go directly to The Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund.
He is also holding 3rd Annual "Brad Cotter's Party on Lake Martin." This concert with Brad and various friends (which have included Jeff Cook, guitar player for the group Alabama as well as other members of the Nashville Star cast) is an annual event for The Children's Harbor.
Brad says, "I am looking forward to participating in many more events to help such causes. It makes this whole ridiculous business seem much more real when you feel that you can actually touch or help someone in need."
Millions of country music fans already know who Brad Cotter is. They know he is the "1st Place Winner" of USA Network's Nashville Star in 2004. He is a 35-year-old singer-songwriter from Opelika, Alabama. And that he is the somewhat rebellious son of a Southern Baptist preacher. What some people don't know is what he has accomplished prior to and during his success.
He practically learned to sing before he could walk. He even had a career as a child gospel star. In fact, Brad released his first recordings with a southern-gospel record label at the age of twelve. Several other recordings would follow - well into his teenage years.
Despite scoring several top-25 regional hits on the gospel scene, Brad ventured out into other styles of music also delving into Country, Rock, and Blues.
"After several years of playing in juke joints and frat-houses around the southeast with all my friends in cover bands," Brad says, "I think I'll give Nashville a try!"
In 1993 he moved to Nashville, TN and signed a development deal with RCA Records soon after his arrival. Brad pursued his dream for the next ten years. Playing live as often as possible and writing music with several other talented songwriters. He signed his own publishing deals with EMI and Warner Chappell publishing companies, while singing on all the studio demo work he could find just to make ends meet.
Between 2001 and 2003, some of Brad's songs ended up as cuts on "other artists" albums. While he began working on his own project, along came a reality television program that his friends and family began to coax him into trying out for - Nashville Star.
"I thought, even if I make it on one week of the show," Brad says, "It may lead through some other doors for me."
The doors opened. Millions of viewers voted for him over a nine-week, multi-episode national television program. Brad won first place over literally thousands of talented performers who auditioned from around the world.
He immediately began recording his debut album release on Epic Records. PATIENT MAN was released in July '05. His first single "I Meant To" quickly broke the record for the highest chart debut by a new country artist since 1990 entering the charts at #42. Billboard reported it as the "second highest selling single of the year" on the country charts.
Brad co-wrote "I Meant To" and five other songs on his debut release with his co-producers Steve Bogard and Rick Giles. "We just picked our favorites from the dozens we had already written together," Brad says.
Even the songs on the album that Brad didn't write seemed tailor-made for him. "They really do seem to represent my background and what I'm all about" says Brad.
Brad is grateful he has been able to showcase his talent to a national and international audience since the TV show. But much more than that, he is thankful to have had the opportunity for his music to touch such a wide spectrum of individuals.
Brad has toured internationally entertaining our troops on USO Tours, headlining shows with his "High Octane" five-piece band. And more recently, playing in front of larger crowds opening for such well-known artists as Hank Williams, Jr., Brooks & Dunn, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson, and Big & Rich just to name a few.
Equally at home behind a piano or with a guitar, Brad is also very comfortable performing in a more intimate setting (theaters, small clubs). A somewhat more "scaled-back" acoustic show or even solo appearances can also be an asset in highlighting his talent.
Brad has also taken part and lended his support to various charitable events and fundraisers. He has recorded a single for The Department of National Defense. The profits from that song go directly to The Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund.
He is also holding 3rd Annual "Brad Cotter's Party on Lake Martin." This concert with Brad and various friends (which have included Jeff Cook, guitar player for the group Alabama as well as other members of the Nashville Star cast) is an annual event for The Children's Harbor.
Brad says, "I am looking forward to participating in many more events to help such causes. It makes this whole ridiculous business seem much more real when you feel that you can actually touch or help someone in need."
