Opening for Garth Brooks in Calgary one week and performing on the CCMA Awards the next! September will no doubt be a highlight for Brett Kissel.
TC: What was your first reaction when you found out you were nominated for Male Artist of the Year?
BK: Pure excitement. I was honored to have been nominated, and I shouted out a legitimate “YES!!!!” when I got the text from my label. I was in public, walking down the streets of Calgary, and people looked at me like, ‘Who’s this guy – and why is he yelling!?’
TC: Who’s your go-to band or artist when you can’t decide on something to listen to?
BK: Since I was 16, my musical tastes and all-time favorites haven’t really changed. When I’m just chillin’, it’s George Strait. Any of his 60 #1’s, or 27 other Top 10’s will do. When I need to get pumped up for a show? It’s either Garth Brooks Double Live, or The Eagles. Nothing gets me more fired up to perform than those artists and those songs!
TC: What’s something you’ve been meaning to try but just haven’t gotten around to it?
BK: My wife Cecilia just shakes her head every time I mention I want to try to do this… But I want to ride a bull at a rodeo. Not even kidding.
TC: What’s your favourite thing to do when you have time off?
BK: Spend time with my girls. Aria, our newest, is only 3 months old, and she changes so much every day that I try to soak in every second with her. She has little dimples, and is starting to giggle, so my heart melts every time she smiles. Mila, our oldest daughter, is a year and a half. She’s busy, full of energy, and she’s the kindest and cutest little kid in the world. Then our wiener dog – Charlie – keeps us on our toes, because he’s constantly making us laugh with the trouble he and Mila get into. Cecilia, my wife and I, are so lucky to have such an amazing life, and such a special family.
TC: If you could make one rule that everyone had to follow, what rule would you make?
BK: Slow drivers would get a bigger fine than heavy-footed speed demons like me. Man oh man, slow drivers on the highway, or slow walkers in the airports or malls, just grind my gears! So if you’re on the Trans-Canada Highway, and you see the Brett Kissel bus coming up behind you – you better speed up or get outta the way!
