What does Scottish Rite, a ten gallon hat, and a love for the Cleveland Browns all have in common? On the surface it may seem like nothing, but did you know that all three of these things are directly related to country music singer Brad Paisley? That’s right, the superstar is a proud 32° mason.
Brad Douglas Paisley was born on October 28, 1972, in Glen Dale, West Virginia. He grew up as an only child, and says that his love for music came from his maternal grandfather who gave him his first guitar. His grandfather began teaching him how to play at age eight, and by age ten Bro. Paisley was performing in his church’s choir. At age 13, he wrote his first song “Born on Christmas day.” That same year, Paisley and a local guitarist named Clarence Goddard formed a band called “Brad Paisley and the C-notes.”
While still in junior high, Bro. Paisley was invited to perform at a local Rotary Club meeting, where he met Tom Miller, the program director for a local radio station. Miller invited him to perform on Jamboree USA, a radio show in West Virginia highlighting country music. After his first performance Bro. Paisley became a regular act on the show for eight years. He eventually went on to become the youngest person ever inducted into the Jamboree USA Hall of Fame.
Bro. Paisley graduated from John Marshall High School in 1991, and then studied at West Liberty State College for two years. He was then awarded a full ASCAP scholarship to Belmont University. While studying at Belmont, he met Frank Rogers who would become his producer, and Kelley Lovelace who became his songwriting partner. He graduated from Belmont with a Bachelors of Business Administration in 1995. Within a week of graduating, Bro. Paisley signed a contract with EMI Music and began writing songs for established artists.
Over the course of his career, Bro. Paisley has released more than ten studio albums, and has been the recipient for a multitude of awards. He has received three Grammys, the Academy of Country Music “Top Male Vocalist” Award five times, among many others. He was also inducted into the Grand Ole Opry at the age of 28. Making him the youngest member to date.
Bro. Paisley is an active Freemason, belonging to Hiram Lodge #4 in Franklin, Tennessee. He is also a member of the Southern Jurisdiction of Scottish Rite, and a Noble of the Shrine. He joined the Craft in 2006 under the guidance of his father, Doug Paisley, 33°. Bro. Paisley has used his fame to benefit the fraternity, by doing several PSA’s supporting the virtues of both masonry and DeMolay.
While Bro. Paisley is one of the most modern famous Freemasons, he is not the only one. To read more about famous masons, click here!
