Brett Kissel: We Were That Song Tour Q&A
Brett Kissel, the Juno, CCMA, and ACMA award winning country artist from Flat Lake, AB is on the road, doing what he does best for country music fans across Canada. To get ourselves ready to see Brett in Toronto on February 17, 2018, we caught up with the Airwaves singer to talk about the tour, his inspirations, Garth Brooks, and a bunch more.
The We Were That Song Tour has already hit the road, and part 1 of the run will see Kissel travel between Ontario and British Columbia, with part 2 still to come. There will be thousands of fans in (and out) of their seats to watch BK and his opener, Dan Davidson play their hits, fan favourites, and throw a great big sing-along in every city and town they stop in.
Related: Dan Davidson, Laugh When You Lie, Live In Toronto
Since the first time we saw Brett Kissel at Boots & Hearts 2014 he has grown into one of Canada’s biggest music stars. In the country genre there are only a handful of artists who have toured, charted singles, and taken home awards at a rate that matches or exceeds him, and Brett doesn’t look like he’s ready to slow down one bit.
Check out the 10 questions in our Q&A to see who Brett wants to see in concert (soon) and who’s waiting for him on the bus after every show.
Thanks to Brett for playing along. We’re sure we’ll be ready to do it all again soon!
Brett Kissel We Were That Song Tour Q&A
Q) The tour started with sold out shows – how big of a confidence boost is that for you as you and the boys get into the groove of playing all of these shows?
BK) The confidence boost is huge. To look at the calendar and see sell out after sell out is a big thing for our entire organization. Having fans that care as much as they do means the world to me, my family, and my band.
Q) Aside from new music, have you changed anything else about the stage show on this tour that fans can look forward to?
BK) Our live show is evolving every night. No two shows are the same. Just when I think we get in a groove and the set list will be solid, something magical happens with that crowd that forces us to do a different song, or change our plan, or even pull out a cover song from the old days of ‘Brett Kissel’. Plus we added a medley of songs we all grew up on that has been a highlight for me…
Q) We know you’re a big Garth guy, and we saw you open for him in Hamilton, is there anything from Garth’s live show that you have tried to, or want to be able to bring to fans in your shows?
BK) My band laughs because they see so many “Garth-isms” in me… I’ve tried everything he’s done because I watched him like a hawk when we toured together over the last 2 years. If there’s one thing I took away from his live show it’s this: ‘Play for the crowd. It’s all about the crowd. When you want to do something for yourself, stop. It’s all about the crowd.’
Photo by Ray Williams – A Perfect Pixel
Q) Are there any other artists that you have at the top of your “must see” list for live concerts?
BK) John Fogerty is a guy I’d love to see now. Brad Paisley talked a lot about his encounters with Fogerty, and the friendship they’ve built, so because of that (and his countless hits), I want to see him. And, now that Elton John announced his retirement from touring, I think it’s important to see him again… this time… I’ll pick a killer city I want to visit, and get tickets there!
Q) The fans and their willingness to embrace you has been a big part of your career and success, what does it mean to you to see them come out to see you live in cities and towns across Canada?
BK) In one word – “everything”. My fans mean so much to me, they’re so amazing, everything I do in this career – I do for them!
Q) You used to say, “make a sign, front of the line” is that still something you encourage with your fans?
BK) It was a fun gimmick a few years ago, and making signs is something I’ll always encourage. But because I’m not doing autographs after the shows on this tour, I’m actively seeking out signs in the crowds, and often walk off the stage to autograph the signs during the show to make it a moment! With two daughters on the road (Mila is 2 and Aria is 9 months), it’s important for me to get off the stage and back to the bus for story time and bedtime!
Q) Toronto hasn’t always been a hot spot for country music, but that’s changing. As a country artist from Alberta, how cool is it to have two Toronto shows lined up on the tour and to have played the Canadian National Exhibition bandshell stage in two of the last three years?
BK) Deep down inside, I believe people from Toronto have always loved their country music – it’s just a lot more popular and mainstream now, so you see people rockin’ in their blue jeans and plaid shirts! Country Radio is strong in the GTA (possibly stronger than it’s ever been), and I feel very blessed that timing wise, I’m in the heart of the good years of the industry nationally and internationally. 2 shows at the Danforth Music Hall proves that. Having record crowds for the “country night” at the CNE proves that. Toronto loves its’ country music – and we love Toronto!
Q) What does it mean to you to be able to bring emerging talent to the stage as openers like you’re doing with the Country Music Association of Ontario and artists like Ben Hudson, Nicole Rayy, and Buck Twenty?
BK) It’s pretty simple. I remember what it was like as an artist starting out, looking for gigs, and looking to get noticed by anyone. That’s why on this tour, and last tour, I wanted to incorporate emerging artists and give them an opportunity to showcase their talents to the fans. Nowadays, I think it’s harder to get in front of people to play, so if there’s anything I can do to help the next generation – well, I’ll do it!
Q) There are a lot of reasons people love live music and concerts, what is your favourite thing about going to see live music?
BK) The energy in the building and the energy coming off of the stage. Watching the “real performers” is what I love. Guys like Garth. Springsteen. McCartney. The Stones. The real performers. It’s the “entertainment business” I’m a part of. So when I go to a show, I want to be entertained!
Q) Last one, before you step out on stage every night, is there anything you think of, or say to yourself and the band?
BK) Yes. Pre show I’ll have the band and crew all gather around where we talk about the show, the things we need to remember, and how we’re going to execute it. I then touch on how thankful we ought to be to be in that specific town or city. And last, we all put our fists in the circle, and yell: “3 – 2 – 1 – IT’S TORONTO (insert name of town) BABY! WOOOOOO!”
Thanks again to Brett for taking the time to catch up with us. If you’re anywhere near one of the We Were That Song Tour (part 1 or 2) stops, we highly recommend that you do your best to get a ticket!
Author profile
creator of content, daddy blogger, writer, coffee drinker, fan of the Batman. proud mo bro. prouder dad.
(Click Image)
Black Lives Matter. Learn. Donate.
Brett Kissel: We Were That Song Tour Q&A
By Joshua Murray
Brett Kissel, the Juno, CCMA, and ACMA award winning country artist from Flat Lake, AB is on the road, doing what he does best for country music fans across Canada. To get ourselves ready to see Brett in Toronto on February 17, 2018, we caught up with the Airwaves singer to talk about the tour, his inspirations, Garth Brooks, and a bunch more.
The We Were That Song Tour has already hit the road, and part 1 of the run will see Kissel travel between Ontario and British Columbia, with part 2 still to come. There will be thousands of fans in (and out) of their seats to watch BK and his opener, Dan Davidson play their hits, fan favourites, and throw a great big sing-along in every city and town they stop in.
Related: Dan Davidson, Laugh When You Lie, Live In Toronto
Since the first time we saw Brett Kissel at Boots & Hearts 2014 he has grown into one of Canada’s biggest music stars. In the country genre there are only a handful of artists who have toured, charted singles, and taken home awards at a rate that matches or exceeds him, and Brett doesn’t look like he’s ready to slow down one bit.
Check out the 10 questions in our Q&A to see who Brett wants to see in concert (soon) and who’s waiting for him on the bus after every show.
Thanks to Brett for playing along. We’re sure we’ll be ready to do it all again soon!
Brett Kissel We Were That Song Tour Q&A
Q) The tour started with sold out shows – how big of a confidence boost is that for you as you and the boys get into the groove of playing all of these shows?
BK) The confidence boost is huge. To look at the calendar and see sell out after sell out is a big thing for our entire organization. Having fans that care as much as they do means the world to me, my family, and my band.
Q) Aside from new music, have you changed anything else about the stage show on this tour that fans can look forward to?
BK) Our live show is evolving every night. No two shows are the same. Just when I think we get in a groove and the set list will be solid, something magical happens with that crowd that forces us to do a different song, or change our plan, or even pull out a cover song from the old days of ‘Brett Kissel’. Plus we added a medley of songs we all grew up on that has been a highlight for me…
Q) We know you’re a big Garth guy, and we saw you open for him in Hamilton, is there anything from Garth’s live show that you have tried to, or want to be able to bring to fans in your shows?
BK) My band laughs because they see so many “Garth-isms” in me… I’ve tried everything he’s done because I watched him like a hawk when we toured together over the last 2 years. If there’s one thing I took away from his live show it’s this: ‘Play for the crowd. It’s all about the crowd. When you want to do something for yourself, stop. It’s all about the crowd.’
Photo by Ray Williams – A Perfect Pixel
Q) Are there any other artists that you have at the top of your “must see” list for live concerts?
BK) John Fogerty is a guy I’d love to see now. Brad Paisley talked a lot about his encounters with Fogerty, and the friendship they’ve built, so because of that (and his countless hits), I want to see him. And, now that Elton John announced his retirement from touring, I think it’s important to see him again… this time… I’ll pick a killer city I want to visit, and get tickets there!
Q) The fans and their willingness to embrace you has been a big part of your career and success, what does it mean to you to see them come out to see you live in cities and towns across Canada?
BK) In one word – “everything”. My fans mean so much to me, they’re so amazing, everything I do in this career – I do for them!
Q) You used to say, “make a sign, front of the line” is that still something you encourage with your fans?
BK) It was a fun gimmick a few years ago, and making signs is something I’ll always encourage. But because I’m not doing autographs after the shows on this tour, I’m actively seeking out signs in the crowds, and often walk off the stage to autograph the signs during the show to make it a moment! With two daughters on the road (Mila is 2 and Aria is 9 months), it’s important for me to get off the stage and back to the bus for story time and bedtime!
Q) Toronto hasn’t always been a hot spot for country music, but that’s changing. As a country artist from Alberta, how cool is it to have two Toronto shows lined up on the tour and to have played the Canadian National Exhibition bandshell stage in two of the last three years?
BK) Deep down inside, I believe people from Toronto have always loved their country music – it’s just a lot more popular and mainstream now, so you see people rockin’ in their blue jeans and plaid shirts! Country Radio is strong in the GTA (possibly stronger than it’s ever been), and I feel very blessed that timing wise, I’m in the heart of the good years of the industry nationally and internationally. 2 shows at the Danforth Music Hall proves that. Having record crowds for the “country night” at the CNE proves that. Toronto loves its’ country music – and we love Toronto!
Q) What does it mean to you to be able to bring emerging talent to the stage as openers like you’re doing with the Country Music Association of Ontario and artists like Ben Hudson, Nicole Rayy, and Buck Twenty?
BK) It’s pretty simple. I remember what it was like as an artist starting out, looking for gigs, and looking to get noticed by anyone. That’s why on this tour, and last tour, I wanted to incorporate emerging artists and give them an opportunity to showcase their talents to the fans. Nowadays, I think it’s harder to get in front of people to play, so if there’s anything I can do to help the next generation – well, I’ll do it!
Q) There are a lot of reasons people love live music and concerts, what is your favourite thing about going to see live music?
BK) The energy in the building and the energy coming off of the stage. Watching the “real performers” is what I love. Guys like Garth. Springsteen. McCartney. The Stones. The real performers. It’s the “entertainment business” I’m a part of. So when I go to a show, I want to be entertained!
Q) Last one, before you step out on stage every night, is there anything you think of, or say to yourself and the band?
BK) Yes. Pre show I’ll have the band and crew all gather around where we talk about the show, the things we need to remember, and how we’re going to execute it. I then touch on how thankful we ought to be to be in that specific town or city. And last, we all put our fists in the circle, and yell: “3 – 2 – 1 – IT’S TORONTO (insert name of town) BABY! WOOOOOO!”
Thanks again to Brett for taking the time to catch up with us. If you’re anywhere near one of the We Were That Song Tour (part 1 or 2) stops, we highly recommend that you do your best to get a ticket!
Author profile
creator of content, daddy blogger, writer, coffee drinker, fan of the Batman. proud mo bro. prouder dad.
