Paisley was born on October 28, 1972, in Glen Dale, West Virginia. The only child of Douglas Edward “Doug” Paisley, who worked for the West Virginia Department of Transportation, and Sandra Jean “Sandy” Paisley (née Jarvis), a homemaker. He has raised a Methodist in his mother’s faith. At ten years old, he received his first guitar as a birthday present from his grandfather, who taught him how to play. Paisley also learned how to play banjo and mandolin. He attended John Marshall High School in Glen Dale, West Virginia where he played guitar for the school band Bluegrass Cardinals.

Musical Beginnings

After graduating from high school in 1990, Paisley enrolled at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. He was later offered a recording contract by Arista Nashville, with whom he released his self-titled debut album in 1999. The album featured the singles “Who Needs Pictures” and “Me Neither”, which both charted in the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

Paisley’s second album, Part II, was released in 2001. It included the singles “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song)”, which became his first Number One single on the country charts, and “Wrapped Around”. In 2002, he was named Top New Male Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music.

Paisley’s third album, Mud on the Tires, was released in 2003. The album’s lead-off single, “Mud on the Tires”, became Paisley’s second Number One hit on the country charts. The album also produced three more Top 20 singles: “Celebrity”, “Whiskey Lullaby”, and “Little Moments”.

In 2005, Paisley released his fourth album, Time Well Wasted. The album’s first single, “Alcohol”, became Paisley’s third Number One country hit. The album also produced the single “The World”.

Paisley’s fifth album, 5th Gear, was released in 2007. It included the singles “Ticks”, “Online”, and “Letter to Me”. In 2008, he was named Entertainer of the Year by both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.

In 2010, Paisley released American Saturday Night. The album featured the singles “Anything Like Me”, “Remind Me”, and “Old Alabama”.

In 2011, Paisley collaborated with Alabama on the song “Old Alabama”, which was included on Alabama’s album Southern Drawl.

Paisley’s ninth studio album, Wheelhouse, was released in 2013. The album’s first single, “Southern Comfort Zone”, peaked at number two on the Country Airplay chart. The album’s second single, “Beat This Summer”, became Paisley’s ninth Number One country hit.

In 2015, Paisley released his tenth studio album, Moonshine in the Trunk. The album’s lead single, “River Bank”, reached number one on the Country Airplay chart.

Awards and Nominations

Paisley has won three Grammy Awards, 14 Academy of Country Music Awards, 14 Country Music Association Awards, and two American Music Awards. He has been nominated for an Emmy Award. Paisley was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in February 2007. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in October 2009.

In May 2019, The Recording Academy announced that Paisley would receive the MusiCares Person of the Year award at the ceremony preceding the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.

Discography