F.A.Q’s.
How long has Brett been singing?
“I have been singing since I can remember. I remember performing as a 2 year old, singing the National Anthem at Christmas time in front of my family. I have been singing professionally since I was probably 12 years old.”
How old was Brett when he got his first guitar?
“I was 7 years old. I got my first guitar for Christmas from my Grandma (Mema) Irene. She bought it from the SEARS catalogue for $79.99. Today, that same guitar is available in the catalogue, but it’s only worth $19.99. Still, to date, it’s been the best present ever!”
Where was Brett’s first public performance?
“Well, this is interesting. The first time I performed in front of a decent sized crowd was at my Grandpa Lloyd’s surprise 65th Birthday. I sang “The John Deere Tractor Keys” by Danny Hooper. But the first time I performed in front of strangers was when I sang “Clearly Canadian” by George Fox at my school talent show. I was 6 years old.”
What’s Brett’s favourite song?
“My favourite song of all time is ‘Galveston’ by Glen Campbell – simply because of its musical arrangement and fantastic vocal range.”
What’s Brett’s most embarrassing musical moment?
“I walked out on stage with the zipper on my pants un-done. This was in Kamloops, at the Calvary Community Church. I played their big Christmas special. The worst part was, I was wearing pink boxers from American Eagle. So everyone saw that I was wearing pink underwear. They were MENS’ BOXERS!”
What was Brett’s best musical moment?
“At my 18th Birthday Bash, I got so excited at the response of the crowd, that I sprung a Beatles song on my band. We did “I Saw Her Standing There” and the whole crowd got on their feet. This was at the Winspear Centre in Edmonton. It was a sold out crowd. There were 1800 people in attendance, and they were all standing, rocking out, and singing along.
Another great moment was being in Brussels, Belgium for the 2015 World University Games Official Bid Presentation. I flew there with the City of Edmonton as their official entertainer for the presentation. We flew there on Friday; I performed on Saturday, and flew home to Edmonton on Sunday. That was an amazing trip!”
Who’s Brett’s favourite Canadian artist?
“I love these artists equally. Gary Fjellgaard – because of the role model he’s been in my life; and Corb Lund – because Corb is doing something for Roots/Country music that no one else is—making it popular!”
Who’s Brett’s favourite Country artist of all time?
“I have had 3 favourite artists in country music since the beginning of time. They are Johnny Cash, Buck Owens, and Glen Campbell.”
Who is Brett’s favourite rock band?
“My favourite rock band is The Eagles. I love every single one of their songs, and often perform them in my set.”
What has been Brett’s favourite concert to date (he attended)?
“The best show I’ve attended would either be Elton John at Rexall Place in Edmonton, or Keith Urban at Rexall Place in Edmonton. Both of them put on stellar shows and sang hit after hit after hit. I appreciate that the most!”
What’s Brett’s favourite CD?
“My favourite CD of all time is “Buck Owens and the Buckaroos LIVE at Carnegie Hall in New York City”. This album is my favourite because you can hear Buck entertain the crowd with jokes and banter, and it made me feel like I was in the audience watching the show. I really wish I would have had the chance to meet or see him perform before he passed in March of 2006.”
Where did Brett grow up?
“I grew up on a cattle ranch North East of St. Paul in the Flat Lake region. We had a couple hundred head of cattle, and I loved every minute of farm life – except for fencing on +30 degree days, and -30 degree days!”
What school(s) did Brett go to?
“I attended Glendon School for Kindergarten and Grade 1. Then I attended Glen Avon School in St. Paul for Grade 2-6. I went to H. E. Bourgoin Middle School in Bonnyville for Grade 7 and 8, then Bonnyville Centralized High School for Grade 9. I completed high school in St. Paul at the Regional High School, while I also did many of my classes at the St. Paul Alternate Education Centre.”
When is Brett’s birthday?
“My birthday is on May 27, 1990”
Where was Brett born?
“I was born at the Grey Nun’s Hospital in Edmonton, AB. The same day the Edmonton Oilers won their last Stanley Cup. They haven’t won a championship since, so my older brother thinks I am a curse to the team!”
Where was Brett’s first ever Canadian Country Music Awards?
“In 2004, I attended my first CCMA’s in Edmonton. I told my Mom that one day I will be up for an award. Sure enough, in 2006, I was nominated for the Rising Star Award.”
When was Brett’s first trip to Nashville?
“My first trip to Nashville was in 2004. I went down to compete in the North American Country Music Association Talent Show, where I won first place in the Traditional Country category.”
How many guitars does Brett have?
“Right now, I think I have 32 guitars. And that doesn’t include my mandolins, banjos, ukuleles, etc.”
What is Brett’s favourite guitar?
“My favourite guitar (that I own) is my Martin 000C-16. It is a super, little guitar. It has been autographed by Mel Tillis, Roy Clark, and Randy Travis.”
What is Brett’s dream car?
“My dream car isn’t actually a car. My dream vehicle is a top of the line Prevost bus that is fully loaded with all the extras! I want big lips on the side saying “Brett KISS-el!”
What was Brett’s first vehicle?
“I was very lucky. My first vehicle was a sponsored truck from Driving Force. They sponsored me with a 2008 GMC Sierra ¾ ton Diesel.”
What was the title of Brett’s first song he ever wrote?
“When I was 7 years old I wrote a song called ‘Wastin’ Time’. The chorus goes, ‘If you ask me how I’m doin’, I’ll just say I’m fine, and if you ask me what I’m doin’, I’m just wastin’ time’.”
Who taught Brett how to sing?
“My Grandpa Ron was a big influence. He taught me all the classic country standards from Jim Reeves and Marty Robbins.”
Who is Brett’s biggest guitar influence?
“My biggest guitar influence is undoubtedly Freddie Pelletier of Birch Hills, Saskatchewan. I attended his guitar camp for 5 years and he also personally gave me lessons every couple of months. I am very appreciative for his time and effort.”
Who is Brett’s overall biggest musical influence?
“I cannot give one person the full credit for influencing me the most. My parents and grandparents taught me so much about music, entertaining, speaking, delivering a message, etc. and none of them could play an instrument or even sing for that matter.
Years back I met up with a gentleman who has unofficially become my 3rd Grandpa. His name is Russ Kowtun, and he taught me a lot about music. He also backed me up and played bass guitar for me at all of the local jamborees.”
What is Brett’s favourite sport?
“By far, my favourite sport is hockey. I love the NHL, and I love the Edmonton Oilers!”
Who is Brett’s favourite athlete?
“My favourite athlete is Wayne Gretzky. He is the greatest athlete that ever lived because he dominated his sport more than any other athlete could dominate theirs’. He was also the classiest guy around. And to this day, he’s never been in trouble with drugs, alcohol, or any other bad things that celebrities get into. Think, has Gretzky ever been portrayed negatively in the tabloids?”
What sport is Brett secretly good at?
“I am secretly very good at table tennis. I love ping pong, and I was even the high school champion. I could beat everyone except for Bob Palinka, my calculus teacher.”
What is Brett’s favourite pastime (outside of music)?
“My brother and I go to watch NHL hockey games. He has season tickets for the Edmonton Oilers, so I go every chance I get!”
What was Brett’s biggest accomplishment in school?
“In Grade 11, my floor hockey team “Shake and Bake”, won the intramural floor hockey championships. We crushed the Teachers, and were the first student team to win the championship in likely 20 years. More students came to watch the hockey games than even our own volleyball or basketball games. The local newspaper was even there to catch all the action. I even had one 4-goal game in the playoffs.”
What was Brett’s biggest accomplishment in music?
“I think being the youngest ever nominee in Canadian history for a Canadian Country Music Award is the biggest accomplishment I’ve ever made in music.”
Where would Brett like to travel for a holiday?
“I would love to travel to Europe for a holiday. Go to Scotland, Ireland, Greece, Spain, etc.”
What venue would Brett like to play in his career?
“I would love to play on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN. Maybe even at the old Ryman Auditorium if I am lucky.”
How many siblings does Brett have?
“I have only one other sibling. My older brother, Jamison is 2 ½ years older than me. He was born in 1987.
What is Brett’s favourite restaurant?
“My favourite restaurant would have to be Jack’s Grill in Edmonton, AB. They have the best food I’ve ever had! I also love to go to J.P.’s Subs in St. Paul. It is owned and operated by a local man who makes the best little submarine sandwiches one could have. I ate there every single day in high school. What I liked best was I could walk in and say “the usual”, and he knew exactly what that meant.”
What is Brett’s favourite food?
“My favourite food is steak. There is nothing better than going into my freezer, picking out a 12 ounce piece of meat from one of our own steers, putting it on the grill and then smothering it with Sawmill steak sauce. I grew up a steak fan, and I will die a steak fan.”
What is Brett’s favourite movie?
“There are so many movies I like, but my all time favourite would be ‘The Patriot’ with Mel Gibson. Anything with Will Ferrell or Adam Sandler will be in my top favourites too.”
Who is Brett’s favourite actor?
“My favourite actor would have to be Will Ferrell or Adam Sandler. Those guys are just SO FUNNY!”