New Artist Spotlight: Brice Long
By Gary Voorhies
© 2006 CMA Close Up News Service / Country Music Association, Inc.
Raised on a 60-acre farm outside of Hopkinsville, Ky., Brice Long grew up working in the fields, taking care of cattle and hogs and absorbing the musical influences of his family, who loved Country Music. He particularly loved Charlie Rich, Gary Stewart and Conway Twitty.
"Country Music was on the radio in the truck, on the tractor and in the barn," Long said. "I just couldn't get enough. I would've crawled inside that radio if I could."
After his first performance in church at the age of 4, Long sang everywhere he could - at other churches, weddings, talent shows and the school choir.
When Long graduated from high school, his father encouraged him to pursue music full-time. Long frequently traveled the hour and a half drive into town, performing at weekly open mic nights in local nightclubs and opening for touring Country acts who'd come through the central Kentucky region. Eddie Rabbitt's manager encouraged Long to move to Nashville, which he did in 1993.
Long attended Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro and landed his first paid songwriting job with the publishing arm of Starstruck Entertainment.
His reputation as a writer grew when John Michael Montgomery, Randy Travis, Josh Turner and others recorded his songs. Gary Allan hit No. 1 with "Nothing On But The Radio," co-written by Long, Odie Blackmon and Byron Hill.
In 2004, Long signed to Columbia Records and teamed with award-winning producers Mark Wright and Keith Stegall for his self-titled debut album. Long co-wrote eight of the 11 songs on the album, scheduled for release this year. The debut single "Anywhere But Here" was penned by D. Vincent Williams and Vincent Moberly.
IN HIS OWN WORDS:
Who is your musical hero?
"Elvis. No need to say any more."
What CD is on your stereo?
"Gary's Greatest by Gary Stewart."
What song do you wish you had written?
"'Always On My Mind,' written by Wayne Carson, Johnny Christopher and Mark James."
Do you have a lucky charm?
"I have a buckeye I carry in my pocket my Dad gave me."
Which mode of transportation do you prefer - planes, trains or automobiles?
"Planes."
Who is your dream duet partner?
"Jewel."
When they look back on your life in 50 years, what do you hope people say about you?
"He lived a wonderful life!"
On the Web: www.bricelong.com
March 14, 2006
© Kristin Barlowe
