Brantley Gilbert

Brantley Gilbert is an American country music singer, songwriter, and record producer. Born on January 20, 1985, in Jefferson, Georgia, Gilbert grew up listening to a variety of musical genres, including country, rock, and hip-hop. He started playing guitar at the age of 13 and began writing songs soon after.

Gilbert’s career began in the mid-2000s when he signed with an independent record label and released his debut album, ‘Modern Day Prodigal Son.’ Despite limited success, Gilbert caught the attention of Big Machine Records and signed with the label in 2010.

His breakthrough album, ‘Halfway to Heaven,’ was released the following year and spawned several hit singles, including ‘Country Must Be Country Wide’and ‘You Don’t Know Her Like I Do.’ Gilbert’s subsequent albums, including ‘Just as I Am’ and ‘The Devil Don’t Sleep,’ further solidified his status as a rising star in the country music scene.

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Key Takeaways

Brantley Gilbert is a well-known American country music singer, songwriter, and record producer.
He started playing guitar at a young age and signed with an independent record label in the mid-2000s before catching the attention of Big Machine Records in 2010.
Gilbert’s breakthrough album ‘Halfway to Heaven’ was released in 2011 and subsequent albums further solidified his status in the country music scene.
Family and personal life are important aspects of Gilbert’s career, and he is involved with various charitable organizations, including Folds of Honor, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Gilbert’s early life and musical beginnings were shaped by his exposure to country music and his family’s involvement in the industry. Born in Jefferson, Georgia in 1985, Gilbert was raised by his mother and stepfather in a household where country music was a constant presence.

His biological father, who was a guitarist and songwriter, introduced him to the genre at a young age and played a significant role in his early musical development.

Despite his father’s influence, it was Gilbert’s stepfather who truly sparked his interest in country music. A professional musician who played in local bands and worked as a sound engineer, he encouraged Gilbert to pursue music and taught him how to play guitar.

Gilbert eventually formed his own band and began performing at local venues, honing his skills and developing his unique style. His early experiences in the industry would lay the foundation for his successful career as a country artist.

Signing with Big Machine Records

Upon signing with Big Machine Records, the country musician secured a notable milestone in his career. In 2010, Brantley Gilbert signed with the Nashville-based record label, which is one of the most successful independent labels in the music industry.

The deal was a significant move for Gilbert, as it provided him with the resources and platform to reach a wider audience and expand his career.

Gilbert’s first album with Big Machine Records, ‘Halfway to Heaven,’was released in 2010 and was a commercial success, peaking at number two on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The album’s lead single, ‘Country Must Be Country Wide,’also became a hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

Gilbert’s subsequent albums, ‘Just as I Am’and ‘The Devil Don’t Sleep,’were also released under Big Machine Records and continued to solidify his position as a rising star in the country music scene.

Debut Album: "Modern Day Prodigal Son"

Following his signing with Big Machine Records, Brantley Gilbert released his debut album, ‘Modern Day Prodigal Son,’ in 2009. The album was a testament to Gilbert’s unique blend of country and rock influences, with songs that featured heavy guitar riffs and a mix of traditional country and modern rock sounds.

The album received positive reviews from critics, who praised Gilbert’s songwriting and vocal abilities. ‘Modern Day Prodigal Son’ featured eleven tracks, including the popular singles ‘G.R.I.T.S.’and ‘Halfway to Heaven.’

The album peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and helped establish Gilbert as a rising star in the country music scene. The success of his debut album set the stage for his subsequent releases, which would continue to showcase his distinct style and ability to blend genres.

Overall, ‘Modern Day Prodigal Son’ served as a promising start to Brantley Gilbert’s career and laid the foundation for his future success in the industry.

Halfway to Heaven"and Breakthrough Success

With the release of ‘Halfway to Heaven,’ Brantley Gilbert achieved breakthrough success in the country music industry. The album was released on March 16, 2010, and debuted at number four on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. It also peaked at number 16 on the Billboard 200, becoming his first album to enter the top 20 on the chart.

The album features hit singles such as ‘Country Must Be Country Wide,”You Don’t Know Her Like I Do,’and ‘Kick It in the Sticks,’which helped to solidify Gilbert’s place in the industry. Overall, ‘Halfway to Heaven’ marked a turning point in Gilbert’s career, as he transitioned from being a relatively unknown artist to a mainstream country star.

The success of ‘Halfway to Heaven’ helped Gilbert to establish himself as a mainstream country artist. The album’s hit singles helped to introduce Gilbert to a wider audience. The album’s commercial success paved the way for future releases and helped Gilbert to solidify his place in the industry. Gilbert has continued to build on the success of ‘Halfway to Heaven’ in the years since its release.

Just as I Am"and Further Chart Success

‘Just as I Am’ continued Brantley Gilbert’s chart success, cementing his status as a major player in the country music industry. The album was released in May 2014 and debuted at number one on both the Billboard 200 and the Top Country Albums chart. This marked Gilbert’s first number one album on the Billboard 200.

Furthermore, ‘Just as I Am’ produced three chart-topping singles, including ‘Bottoms Up,’ ‘Small Town Throwdown,’ and ‘One Hell of an Amen.’ These singles solidified Gilbert’s position as a hitmaker in the country music scene.

Gilbert’s success with ‘Just as I Am’ also earned him recognition from the music industry. In 2014, he was nominated for the CMA Award for Album of the Year and won the American Music Award for Favorite Country Album.

The album’s success was a significant milestone in Gilbert’s career, as it demonstrated his ability to produce commercially successful music while staying true to his roots. Gilbert’s unique style, which blends elements of country, rock, and Southern gospel, has resonated with audiences and helped him carve out a distinct niche in the country music landscape.

Collaboration with Colt Ford on "Dirt Road Anthem"

Brantley Gilbert’s hit song ‘Dirt Road Anthem’ was a collaboration with country rapper Colt Ford that showcased Gilbert’s ability to blend traditional country music with modern hip-hop elements.

Released in 2010, the single was originally written and recorded by Ford in 2008. Gilbert later heard the song and decided to record his own version, which included vocals from Ford himself.

The song was a hit, reaching number one on the Hot Country Songs chart and becoming Gilbert’s third consecutive top 10 hit. It also earned him a nomination for the CMA Award for Song of the Year in 2011.

The success of ‘Dirt Road Anthem’ not only solidified Gilbert’s place in country music but also helped to popularize the subgenre of country rap. The song’s catchy chorus, which includes the line ‘mud on my boots, ain’t afraid to get a little dirty,’ resonated with listeners and became a popular anthem for fans of both country and hip-hop.

The collaboration with Ford also showcased Gilbert’s willingness to experiment with different sounds and genres, which has become a hallmark of his career. Gilbert has since gone on to collaborate with other artists, including Lindsay Ell and Jason Aldean, and continues to push the boundaries of country music.

Songwriting and Collaborations with Other Artists

Collaborations with other artists and songwriting have become a crucial aspect of Gilbert’s career, enabling him to experiment with different sounds and genres and expand his reach within the country music industry.

Gilbert has worked with a number of notable artists, including Thomas Rhett, Jason Aldean, and Justin Moore. He has also collaborated with rapper TI on the song ‘Gangsta Party,’which was featured on TI’s album.

In addition to collaborations, Gilbert is also a prolific songwriter, having written songs for other country music artists such as Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan. His songwriting skills have been recognized with multiple awards, including the BMI Country Awards for Song of the Year in 2012 and 2013.

Gilbert’s ability to write songs that connect with his audience and his willingness to collaborate with other artists have helped him to remain relevant and successful in the ever-evolving country music industry.

Personal Life and Family

Family and personal life are important aspects of Gilbert’s life and have influenced his music career.

Gilbert married Amber Cochran in 2015, after meeting her ten years prior. The couple had an on-and-off relationship before finally tying the knot. Gilbert has stated that Amber has been his inspiration and muse for many of his songs, including ‘You Don’t Know Her Like I Do’and ‘More Than Miles.’

The couple has two children together, a son named Barrett and a daughter named Braylen.

Apart from his immediate family, Gilbert is also known for his support for military families. He has been involved with the organization Folds of Honor, which provides educational scholarships to the families of fallen or disabled military members. Gilbert has also visited troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and has performed for various military events.

In addition, Gilbert has been open about his struggles with addiction and credits his family and faith for helping him overcome it.

Philanthropic Efforts and Giving Back

Philanthropic efforts and giving back are integral parts of Gilbert’s life, as he has been involved with various charitable organizations.

One such organization is Folds of Honor, which provides educational scholarships to the children and spouses of fallen and disabled service members.

Gilbert has also visited troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, performing for them and expressing his gratitude for their service.

In addition to his involvement with military organizations, Gilbert has also supported other causes, such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

He has participated in benefit concerts and auctions to raise funds for these organizations, as well as donating a portion of his merchandise sales to charity.

Gilbert has stated that he believes in using his platform to give back and make a positive impact, and his philanthropic efforts reflect this belief.

Future Plans and Upcoming Projects

Looking ahead, Gilbert has several upcoming projects in the works, including new music releases and potential tours. Here are some of the projects that his fans can look forward to:

New Album Release: Gilbert is working on a new album, which will be his first since 2017’s ‘The Devil Don’t Sleep.’He has already released a single from the album, ‘Hard Days,’which has received positive reviews from fans and critics alike. The album is expected to showcase Gilbert’s signature blend of rock and country, with lyrics that are both personal and relatable.
Potential Tour: While nothing has been officially announced yet, Gilbert has hinted at the possibility of a tour in the near future. He has expressed his eagerness to get back on the road and perform for his fans, and has promised that any upcoming tour will be bigger and better than his previous tours.
Collaboration with Other Artists: Gilbert has collaborated with other artists in the past, including Lindsay Ell and Jason Aldean. He has expressed his interest in working with more artists in the future, and fans can expect to see some exciting collaborations on his upcoming album.
Philanthropic Efforts: Gilbert has always been passionate about giving back to his community, and he has hinted at new philanthropic efforts in the works. Fans can expect to see Gilbert continuing his charitable work, whether it’s through his own foundation or by supporting other organizations.