Brad Paisley Biography

Fast Facts

• His grandfather, a country-music fan, gave him his first guitar when he was 8
• Wrote his first song, "Born on Christmas Day," when he was 12; his school principal was impressed and asked him to play it at a Rotary Club meeting
• Performed on WWVA's "Jamboree USA," a weekly country-music radio show, after the station's program director saw him play at the Rotary meeting
• Was a "Jamboree USA" regular for eight years, opening for country stars the Judds, George Jones and Ricky Skaggs, among others
• Released his debut album, Who Needs Pictures, on June 1, 1999
• Started the Brad Paisley Foundation in 2000 to help charities in and around his hometown of Glen Dale, WV
• Made his TV acting debut in 2002 on the sitcom According to Jim, which starred his wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley
• Favorite author is Mark Twain; named his first son William Huckleberry