July 19, 2012 Two of country music's outlaws square off on today's Taste of Country Showdown. The battle will end with an assault of phone call voting on Taste of Country Nights radio on Thursday night. You can vote now for either returning champion Eric Church and his song 'Creepin',' or challenger Brantley Gilbert's new single 'Kick It in the Sticks.'
Brantley Gilbert 'Kick It in the Sticks' lyrics were penned by the singer and two-thirds of Nashville's hottest writing team, the Peach Pickers (Ben Hayslip and Rhett Akins). While all three have writing credits for crafting the song -- Gilbert's latest single -- Hayslip and Akins were surprised by the outcome, seeing how the threesome were never in the same room together when the hit was born.
July 16, 2012 It's difficult to overstate how important 'Kick It in the Sticks' is to Brantley Gilbert's career and the direction of country music. It's a line drawn in the red Georgia clay -- after two releases that held back -- to allow those not previously familiar with the Jefferson-born singer to get acquainted with his pacing and style. This is his 'Free Bird,' in that it's the first song fans and critics will mention in association with this talented artist.
Brantley Gilbert has yet another reason to smile these days, as his latest single, 'You Don't Know Her Like I Do,' has topped the country singles charts. The tune is Gilbert's second-consecutive No. 1 hit, following in the footsteps of his previous hit, 'Country Must Be Country Wide.'
Brantley Gilbert has definitely earned his slot on the list of up-and-coming country stars. This year, the rising hitmaker has watched 'You Don't Know Her Like I Do' become his second-consecutive No. 1 single, and he's gained major songwriting success, too. Gilbert penned 'Dirt Road Anthem' and 'My Kinda Party,' both of which Jason Aldean has taken to the top of the country charts. After gaining fans for his fist-pumping, hell-raising stage performances as an opener for Toby Keith and Eric Church, Gilbert has decided to trek out on his own headlining tour.
Brantley Gilbert sort of chuckles when people tell him Jason Aldean stole his songs. It's not true, and Gilbert knows he couldn't have made them hits like his fellow Georgian did. The truth is, 'My Kinda Party' and 'Dirt Road Anthem' were too risky for a new artist. Radio wouldn't give him a chance like they did Aldean.
June 27, 2012 The Taste of Country Most Eligible Bachelor Poll closed on Tuesday night, and a winner was crowned. Find out who is country music's hottest single male -- and which artists he topped -- in the Daily Roundup below. Also, find out why Kenny Chesney is celebrating today, and see a list of the all-time best country music feuds.
June 27, 2012 He's 27-years-old -- a Capricorn with hazel eyes and a propensity for adding "Sir" or "Ma'am" to the end of sentences. Brantley Gilbert loves his fans, his mama and a Pit bull named Alley, who he rescued from abusive owners before one of his shows in Macon, Ga. Don't let the soft southern accent or big heart fool you, however. Gilbert isn't a pushover. He'll fight for his family, his friends and his music when he has to. For these reasons, Taste of Country readers named the 'You Don't Know Her Like I Do' hitmaker country music's most eligible bachelor.
It's safe to say that Brantley Gilbert is one of the hottest rising stars in country music right now. As a songwriter, his tunes 'My Kinda Party' and 'Dirt Road Anthem,' recorded by Jason Aldean, and his own chart-topping hit, 'Country Must Be Country Wide,' soared, pushing him over the top and making him a fan favorite.
Has rising country star Brantley Gilbert sparked a national craze? According to the Social Security Administration, as reported by the 'Today Show' and ABCnews.com, the singer's first name, Brantley, has skyrocketed from from No. 736 to No. 320 on the list of the most popular baby names, leading many to believe Gilbert has single-handedly started a baby boom revolution.
