Paul Brandt

Paul Rennée Belobersycky (born July 21, 1972), known professionally as Paul Brandt, is a Canadian country music artist. Growing up in Calgary, he was a pediatric nurse at the time of his big break. In 1996, he made his mark on the country music charts with the single "My Heart Has a History", propelling him to international success and making him the first male Canadian country singer to reach the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in the United States since Hank Snow in 1974. His second single "I Do" reached number one on the Mediabase Country chart in the United States. Brandt achieved later success in Canada with singles such as "Canadian Man", "Alberta Bound", "Didn't Even See the Dust", and "I'm an Open Road".

Early life Brandt was born in Calgary, Alberta and grew up in nearby Airdrie. The first time Brandt sang in front of an audience was when he sang "Amazing Grace" at his high school. He attended Crescent Heights High School from 1987-1990. He also graduated from Mount Royal University with a major in nursing during 1992.

Career

Brandt's demo was one of many sent by A&Rs at the Warner Canada office to their colleagues at Warner Nashville with a purpose of finding a new project that the two branches could work on together. Nashville A&R Paige Levy singled out Brandt's recordings, later mentioning to HitQuarters about his great potential as a songwriter.

Brandt released the album Give It Away on September 13, 2011. He released his first gospel project called Just As I Am on October 16, 2012. It features songs which Brandt grew up on and based his life upon.

In 2015, Brandt released the single "I'm an Open Road" featuring Jess Moskaluke, which became his first single to be certified Gold by Music Canada. In 2018, he announced a two-part extended play series, with The Journey YYC, Vol. 1 being released in April 2018, and The Journey BNA, Vol. 2 following in November 2018.

Personal life Brandt and his wife, Elizabeth Peterson, were married on February 22, 1997, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada at the Centre Street Church, and had their first child, a son in 2008. In November 2010, they had a daughter.

Brandt received an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from the University of Lethbridge on Saturday, October 17, 2009. He has also received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Briercrest College and Seminary on April 24, 2010.

Brandt graduated in 1992 from Mount Royal University with a degree in Nursing and currently serves as the storyteller-in-residence for the institution.

In 2019 while on tour in Lethbridge, Alberta, he requested for some shelter dogs be brought to his green room before his show. The Lethbridge and District Humane Society provided a group of puppies, one of which he adopted and named “Chief”.

Discography

Calm Before the Storm (1996) Outside the Frame (1997) That's the Truth (1999) This Time Around (2004) A Gift (2006) Risk (2007) Give It Away (2011) Just as I Am (2012)

Awards

Canadian Country Music Awards 1996 SOCAN Song of the Year: "My Heart Has A History" 1997 Male Artist Of The Year 1997 SOCAN Song of the Year: "I Do" 1997 Single Of The Year: "I Do" 1997 Video Of The Year: "I Do" 1998 Male Artist Of The Year 1999 Male Artist Of The Year 2000 Male Artist Of The Year 2000 Video Of The Year: "That's The Truth" 2002 Male Artist Of The Year 2002 Album of the Year: Small Towns and Big Dreams 2005 Album of the Year: This Time Around 2005 CMT Video of the Year: "Convoy"

Country Music Association 2005 Global Artist of the Year

CMT (United States) 1996 Top New Male Artist

GMA Canada Covenant Awards 2005 Country/Bluegrass Song of the Year: "That's What I Love About Jesus" 2007 Seasonal Album Of The Year: A Gift 2007 Seasonal Song of the Year: "A Gift" 2008 nominee, Artist of the Year 2008 nominee, Male Vocalist of the Year 2013 Album of the Year: Just As I Am 2013 Artist of the Year 2013 Country/Bluegrass Album of the Year: Just As I Am 2013 nominee, Male Vocalist of the Year 2013 nominee (shared with High Valley): When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder

Juno Awards 1997 nominee, Male Vocalist of the Year 1997 Country Male Vocalist of the Year 1998 Male Vocalist of the Year 1998 Country Male Vocalist of the Year 1998 nominee, Best Video: "A Little In Love" (Paul Brandt and Tim Hamilton) 1999 Best Country Male Vocalist 2000 nominee, Best Male Artist 2000 Best Country Male Artist 2001 Best Country Male Artist 2002 nominee, Best Country Artist/Group 2005 nominee, Country Recording Of The Year: This Time Around 2008 Country Recording Of The Year: Risk 2008 Allan Waters Humanitarian Award

Western Canadian Music Awards 2008 Outstanding Country Recording: Risk

Other Awards 2011 Alberta Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award 2011 Canadian Country Album of the Year "Give It Away" by iTunes Rewind 2013 Awarded HRM The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal by Prime Minister Stephen Harper 2017 Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame