Brett Kissel is as much at home on the stage in front of thousands as he is tagging calves on his family ranch in Flat Lake, Alta. But Kissel is busier with his music career as he is topping the charts with a number 1 Canadian country single, a number 1 video on Country Music TV, and a number 1 country album on Itunes, and he’ll be playing in Salmon Arm at the Shuswap Music Hall – SASCU Rec Centre.
It’s a treat that local residents probably won’t ever have again says Shuswap Music Hall promoter Mark Greenhalgh: “He’s well on his way. We’re staying on the cusp of what’s happening and a year from now you’re not going to be able to see Brett Kissel in Salmon Arm.”
Kissel’s songs hit an emotional chord as they reflect true-life sentiment and real situations. Country In My Blood portrays life on the Alberta cattle ranch that has been in his family for more than a century, and the moving ballad, Together, is a loving tribute to his grandparents.
Salmon Arm’s Jesse Mast will open for Kissel. Greenhalgh says helping emerging artists by giving them this kind of opportunity is a passion of his and one of the goals of the Shuswap Music Hall concert series.
“The Shuswap Music Hall is basically a partnership between Salmon Arm Recreation and myself. I offer my services to bring in some regular entertainment in the shoulder season – up to a show a month. Jesse is going to be following in Brett Kissel’s footsteps – he is an amazing talent. Having Brett will create some excitement around our concert series and connecting that with a local artist is a win-win.”
Mast, 17, has opened for other artists, but it was nothing like this.
“This is the biggest artist I’ve ever opened for. He was the headliner for the CCMA’s (Canadian Country Music Awards) and it was pretty neat to find out I was opening for him. It was pretty electrifying.”
Kissel, 22, started on his musical path at the age of seven, with a Sears catalogue guitar. His influence came from Johnny Cash, Buck Owens and George Strait. By the time he was 10, he was playing three-chord Johnny Cash songs at talent shows.
Mast started on a different musical path. He wasn’t a country boy at all and his first musical heroes were Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin and Vivaldi. Then his influence was expanded: “I listened to three kinds of music: gospel, blue grass and Celtic. My first instrument was the fiddle. The fiddle was the love of my life until I came across the mandolin, and from there I started playing guitar and singing.”
Kissel got his first paid gig at the age of 12, when he received a $50 honourarium to play for a local 4H club. He continued playing at agrarian events and celebrations, even being paid for one concert with a pure bred bull.
Mast entered local talent shows and found he had a passion for performing. In the past couple of years he has racked up some impressive awards including first place in the Country 103 radio Interior Talent Search, and first place in the Global Country Star Search, which will allow Mast to represent Canada at the North America Country Music Association’s international competition in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee in 2014.
Kissel’s music and lyrics come from his own experiences he had at a young age growing up on a ranch. Mast says his songs come to him depending on what he has on his mind.
“Sometimes a song just happens,” says Mast, adding that it’s really handy to have his instrument, a pen and a pad of paper nearby (“which almost never happens”) when he does get that flash of inspiration. But inspiration doesn’t mean song-writing comes easily for Mast.
“I’m mulish. I have to work and sweat and agonize on lines and lyrics and keep at it until I’m comfortable that the lyrics and music complement each other and communicate what I think it should.”
Greenhalgh is anticipating a good crowd for the Kissel/Mast concert, which is the second Shuswap Music Hall concert.
“The first show was the Boom Booms. There were a lot of smiling faces and a lot of dancing. I think people are going to be excited to see Brett – his name is creating some waves and those are the kinds of artists we’re going to be bringing in. The concert series will be a nice addition to the culture scene that Salmon Arm already has.”
The concert takes place Thursday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. Advance pricing is available until Nov. 2. For tickets call 250-832-4044, or stop by the SASCU Rec Centre.
Fans can win a chance to meet Kissel in a VIP meet-and-greet at the show. To enter the contest, follow Kissel on Twitter Oct. 24 when he will tweet instructions.