Brantley Gilbert, the Georgia singer/songwriter who just saw his first song as a singer go to No. 1 on the country charts, is on fire. In addition to "Country Must Be Country Wide" topping the charts, his latest song, "You Don't Know Her Like I Do," has entered the Billboard Hot 100. His album Halfway To Heaven leaped into the Billboard 200 albums chart to No. 4 upon its re-release in September (originally released in 2010) as a deluxe edition. He just signed on to tour with Eric Church, another new country star on the rise. And he just sold out a two-night stand at the House of Blues in North Myrtle Beach.
Not bad for a guy who lost his recording contract in 2006 before the label released his first album. But Gilbert didn't let that stop him. As Allmusic.com notes, he was later signed to country rapper Colt Ford's label, Average Joe's, and things have been looking up for him ever since. Although he would join Big Machine Records' Valory Music Group in February (the label the released the Halfway To Heaven deluxe re-issue), his association with Colt Ford has netted him two No. 1 songs and a No. 2 hit as well.
Ford co-wrote "Country Must Be Country Wide." He also co-wrote "Dirt Road Anthem" with Gilbert, which makes "Country Wide" Gilbert's second No. 1 hit as a songwriter.
Watch Brantley Gilbert's video for "Country Must Be Country Wide."
And it is that songwriting style that got has Gilbert noticed. Jason Aldean covered two of the Georgian's songs on his multi-platinum album My Kinda Party, including the title track (which originally appeared on Gilbert's first release, Modern Day Prodigal Son). The second song? "Dirt Road Anthem," which topped the charts in 2011.
Watch Brantley Gilbert's new video, "You Don't Know Her Like I Do."
In fact, Gilbert sings his own version of "Dirt Road Anthem" on Halfway To Heaven.
Gilbert's attraction seems rooted in his blend of southern rock and country that's not afraid to show homage to some harder rock elements. His videos have received millions of hits on YouTube and his following seems to grow with each passing concert.
Proof positive: The two sold out shows at the House of Blues in North Myrtle Beach on Feb. 10 and 11.
For those disappointed ticket seekers, the House of Blues offers a last opportunity to get tickets to the show, which begins both nights at 9:45 p.m. when opener Brian Davis takes the stage. They are giving away two tickets for the Feb. 11 show on Twitter via their Retweet To Win Contest.
The House of Blues is located at 4640 Highway 17 S. in North Myrtle Beach, S. C.
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