Country singer Brett Kissel set to hit The Machine Shop stage

It all started with a song.

This is what started country music sensation Brett Kissel's career.

Currently on his We Were That Song Tour, Kissel is scheduled to perform at The Machine Shop, 83 Huron St., on Feb. 25.

Born on May 27, 1990 in Flat Lake, Alta., Kissel is the youngest of two, having older brother Jamison as part of his support team.

"My family has always been supportive of my career choice," Kissel said during a recent phone interview. "Ever since I got my first guitar at six years old from my grandmother, I've wanted to play. This peaked the interest of my family. Later on, my brother became supportive after seeing me perform at Team Canada events."

His grandmother gifted him his first guitar at six years old after ordering it through a Sears catalogue. This guitar, according to Kissel, is still an important memory and keepsake for him.

"I still have that guitar and I still use it," he said with a chuckle. "I'm proud of that guitar. I've made memories with it."

Growing up, Kissel's musical tastes ran from Johnny Cash to Charlie Pride and Garth Brooks. To this day, he still listens to their music.

"I'm still a huge fan of Johnny Cash, especially Man in Black," he expressed. "My grandparents had the record collection. Garth Brooks, well, he made me who I am today. I'm still a huge fan of his."

Garth Brooks would be his singer of choice to do a duet with, according to Kissel.

In 1995, at a school fundraiser, Kissel met Alberta country star, philanthropist and fundraiser auctioneer Danny Hooper. The country star invited Kissel on stage to perform The John Deere Tractor Keys. This was his first performance, one he will never forget. 

"Seeing the lights and the fans all smiling made me want to do this more," he said. "I just love this."

At the age of 12, he released his first album, Keepin' It Country. After this, he released three more independent albums; By Request (2004), Tried and True: A Canadian Tribute (2006) and My Roots Run Deep (2008). In 2012, he wrote and recorded a song about the 2012-2013 NHL lockout, called Hockey, Please Come Back.

On May 10, 2013, he signed a recording deal with Warner Music Canada. On June 17 of that year, he released his first song, It Started With A Song. This kick-started his career and tours.

As of today, he has released three studio albums with Warner Music Canada; It Started With A Song (2013), Pick Me Up (2015) and We Were That Song (2017).

Before heading on stage to perform, Kissel said that even though he has no pre-show ritual, he does vocal warm-ups with the band.

"I need all the practice I can get so before a show, I do vocal warm-ups for about 30 minutes," he explained. "The band and I come together to say how thankful we are. Then we do our countdown of 3-2-1 before hitting the stage."

To date, Kissel's biggest musical accomplishments are being on tour with George Canyon back in 2004, opening for the singer, performing at the 2013 Canadian Country Music Awards and stepping on stage at the Grand Ole Opery.

"Every simple gig has lead to more," he expressed. "Every opportunity will lead to more opportunities."

For this tour, Kissel has brought along his wife of almost seven years, Cecilia, as well as his two daughters, Mila and Aria. Because of his daughters, he wrote the song God Made Daughters, a song he says is his most rewarding one to date. 

"This song song is for my girls," he explained. "It explains the relationship with dads and daughters. I want this to be a song for them to look back on."

Kissel will be performing in the north, first hitting North Bay on Feb. 23, Sudbury on Feb. 24 and Sault Ste. Marie Feb. 25.