Ahead of the 2012 Canadian Country Music Association Awards, we asked several of the nominees to reply to our questionnaire. Here, Paul Brandt, whose latest album, Give it Away, is nominated for album of the year.
Q: Describe your latest album in 5 words or less.
A: My eleventh and favourite.
Q: How would you describe the Canadian country music scene to someone who knows nothing about it?
A: It has a lot of diversity. It ranges from the East Coast, which sometimes has a Celtic flair, to the West Coast and its singer-songwriter feel. Western and roots even find their place here. It welcomes the mainstream, similar to what you hear coming out of Nashville, but it leaves Canadian artists enough room creatively not to feel confined by a formula. I love the freedom that the Canadian scene gives its country musicians.
Q: If you weren't making music for a living, what do you think you would be doing?
A: I would probably have continued along my former career path and become a pediatrician. As an RN, about 20 years ago, I got a job in ICU and was offered a record deal in the same week. I moved to Nashville, and the rest is history, but I often wonder what my “other life” would have looked like.
Q: If you could record in any city in the world, where would you go? What one piece of musical equipment would you bring?
A: I don’t think we’re limited by needing to be in a specific place anymore as musicians. It's kind of “have laptop – make music,” but while I was recording my upcoming album Just As I Am with some of Nashville’s most accomplished mainstream and bluegrass musicians, I was reminded of the magic of the Nashville scene. It’s amazing to be able to work with people who move to Nashville from around the world to be a part of what happens there, it’s a one-of-a-kind city.
Q: If you've attended the CCMA Awards before, what one piece of advice would you give to someone who hasn't been?
A: Don’t let Jason McCoy or Jason Blaine, or High Valley sit next to you: they’ll steal your wallet.
• The 2012 CCMA Awards will be broadcast on CBC on Sunday, Sept. 9 at 8 p.m. ET. Before, during and after the broadcast, we invite you to check out cbcmusic.ca/CCMAAwards for complete coverage, live chat, backstage galleries and more.
More 2012 CCMA questionnaires:
The 2012 CCMA Award Questionnaire: Paul Brandt
The 2012 CCMA Award questionnaire: Johnny Reid
The 2012 CCMA Award questionnaire: Victoria Banks
The 2012 CCMA Award questionnaire: Kira Isabella
The 2012 CCMA Award questionnaire: High Valley
The 2012 CCMA Award questionnaire: Dallas Smith
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