The Paris, IL, native was visiting Nashville for the first time early in his sophomore year at Chicago's Elmhurst College. He was at the Station Inn, an historic bluegrass/country venue where many of the greats of both worlds have played. His cousin Terry, a veteran of Dolly Parton's band and now a member of the Grascals, was playing with a band called the Sidemen, and a mesmerized Brett was in the crowd.
"There was something so real and truthful about the songs they were playing," he says. βWhat happened next came as a shock.β
"He asked me to come up on stage and told me to pick a song to play with the band," says Brett. I said, 'Amarillo By Morning,' and when I heard that fiddle intro, chills shot up my spine. I sang it for the crowd there and it was a magical experience. That was the point where I thought, 'This is it. This is something I've got to do.'"
By the start of the next school year, he had transferred to Middle Tennessee State University and begun the round of writers' nights and writing appointments that led him eventually to a record deal.
The talent that let him turn that dream into realityβthe depth of his writing and the sheer power of his smoky and expressive baritoneβare both apparent in his first single. "Raymond" is the poignant tale of a nursing home employee mistaken by a patient with Alzheimer's for her deceased son, who was killed at war. It is a song whose inspiring reaffirmation of their mutual humanity is affecting listeners deeply. The single rings true for Eldredge as his Grandmother currently struggles through the disease.
"There are a lot of things I'll play live where people will say, 'I like that,' or 'That's a really cool song,'" Brett says, "but when I do this one, I get the chance to tell people how special a thing it's been in my life, and it always touches someone. A lot of people know someone with Alzheimer's and people react in a really emotional way to it."
Brett has earned a reputation as much for the strength of his writing as for his world-class voice. He and co-writer Pat McLaughlin landed a song called "I Think I've Had Enough" on Gary Allan's latest album, Get Off On The Pain, and one of his frequent collaborators is Country Music Hall of Famer and Grand Ole Opry stalwart Bill Anderson.
"He's one of my favorite people to write with," says Brett. "I love the fact that he believes in country music so much, because it's something I really believe in. My dream, as I find my place in country music, is one day to be an Opry member."
Brett heard all kinds of music growing up, and became a particular fan of the classic pop singers he heard in his grandfather's car.
"I heard a lot of Frank Sinatra, who is still a favorite of mine, and Ray Charles and Bobby Darin," he says. "When my mother convinced me to sing 'Mack The Knife' at a talent show, I got hooked on singing in public."
That was in Paris, a town of 9,000 with "cornfields and factories and lake right in the middle." Brett, his older brother and his parentsβa traveling grain salesman and a nurseβlived on the lake and, says Brett, "We were on the water every day, from the time I was so little they could pull me on water skis in a paddle boat until I left for college at 18." Sports were a big part of his life, and he played basketball, baseball and football in high school.
He also sang everywhere he could, often the Big Band music of Sinatra, earning spending money and learning to work a stage. His appreciation for country music became a passion when he turned 16 and he and a friend rode around listening to a Brooks & Dunn greatest hits album.
"There was something about it that just struck me," he says. "I couldn't get enough of it. Ronnie Dunn is one of my favorite singers of all timeβI love the soul in his voiceβand one of the main reasons I got into this in the first place."
Brett spent two years in Chicago, where his older brother lived, performing with a school jazz band and with a Big Band around the region.
"One of the coolest gigs," he says, "was at the Field Museum, I was singing in front of a 12-piece band under this huge Tyrannosaurus Rex statue near some mammoths. It was quite the experience."
Then came that fateful visit to Nashville and his transfer to MTSU. He studied classic country stylists like Ray Price and George Jones, and later Vince Gill, absorbing everything he could.
"I was driving back and forth Nashville every day from Murfreesboro, which is thirty miles away," he says. "I had a guitar Terry had given me, which was originally a gift from Dolly, and I'd pretty much lock myself in my room and make myself learn songs. I would play writers' nights all around Nashville. There might be two people, there might be 40 or 50. I'd go play my songs and see what people liked and what they didn't. I'd screw up royally in front of them, but I learned."
He earned a degree, which, he says, "made Mom and Dad happy, and then I moved on to what I really wanted to do.
A staff writer for hit producer/publisher Byron Gallimore heard him at a writers' night and introduced him to Byron, who signed him.
"I wrote for about two years, developing my craft and writing with everyone I could. In the beginning, Byron just let me kind of find myself, because that takes a while. As you write more you starting homing in on what you sound good on. Eventually, Byron said, 'You've got something here' and we went in and started cutting songs. We did a showcase, and Carole Ann Mobley from Warner Music Nashville said, 'We've gotta sign this kid'. Mobley and Craig Kallman then signed Brett to Atlantic Records, making him the first official signing for the new imprint.
As he worked with his band tightening his show, he was offered a particularly gratifying gig.
"I opened for Blake Shelton at The Ryman and it was the coolest experience. I flew back from this house gig and all of a sudden I'm thrown into playing the Mother Church of Country Music, something I always dreamed of doing. I was operating on almost no sleep, but stepping out on that stage where everybody who's anybody in country music has been meant the world to me."
He remains active in sports, playing basketball and volleyball and playing on an intramural softball team in Nashville, and rooting for the Cubs and Bears. Meanwhile, he is dedicated to improving his craft.
"As a songwriter," he says, "my aim is to portray a little bit of me and my life along with the stories of other people and turn them into something that can really touch somebody's heart and soul. We sit down on Music Row every day and write songs and every once in a while a song like βRaymondβ comes from such a real place. I hope it's that real to other people and that I can make them feel the way I felt when I wrote it and when I sing it."
Judging from audience reaction, thatβs exactly what heβs doing.
Brother
Brett Eldredge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why do guys like us spend most our lives playing it tough?
Oh, and brother, I see this world's got you down
You look like you look when you got your heart broke
In 7th grade by Katie Brown
We played ball out in the yard
We raced our bikes, we wrecked our cars
Oh, we got drunk out in the fights
Fell for the same girl once or twice
And somehow made it out alive
But in the end, always there for each other
Oh, brother
When I couldn't see, you always found a way to believe in me
You were the quarterback when I rode the bench
The knuckleball nobody could hit
If you're the underdog, you're the comeback kid
You'll find a way to get through this
We played ball out in the yard
We raced our bikes, we wrecked our cars
Stayed out late in midnight bars
Oh, we got drunk out in the fights
Fell for the same girl once or twice
And somehow made it out alive
But in the end, always there for each other
Brother, oh, brother
I hope you know I'd take a bullet
Stand out on the frontline
Oh, life is short, don't you know it?
But everybody needs a partner in crime
You had my back when dad got sick
You being there's what did the trick
We both thought that that was it
Oh, you were my first call that night in June
You rushed in to my bail
We sure raise a lot of hell
I still make you swear to never tell my mother
Oh, we'll always be there for each other
Brother, oh, brother, yeah
Oh, brother
The song 'Brother' is a powerful expression of sibling love and support. The lyrics speak of two brothers who have been through thick and thin together, and who always have each other's back. The song talks about the struggles of life and how it is important to have someone by your side during those times.
The song opens with a plea from one brother to the other to have a heart-to-heart conversation. The lyrics suggest that men are often taught to be tough and suppress their emotions, but it is essential to talk to someone and share their struggles. The second verse talks about the childhood memories of the brothers, how they played sports, got into fights, and fell in love with the same girl. But, through it all, they remained there for each other.
The chorus brings out the central message of the song, which is the love and support that siblings share. The lyrics speak of how the brothers have each other's back, and how they are always there for each other, no matter what life throws at them. The third verse talks about the difficult times in life when one brother stood by the other when their dad was sick, and how they bailed each other out during crises.
Overall, the song 'Brother' speaks about the deep bond between siblings and the importance of having someone to rely on during life's trials and tribulations.
Line by Line Meaning
Brother, I think it's time we talked
Let's have a heart to heart.
Why do guys like us spend most our lives playing it tough?
Why do we try so hard to be macho when it's okay to be vulnerable?
Oh, and brother, I see this world's got you down
I can tell you're struggling.
You look like you look when you got your heart broke
You're hurting like you did back in middle school when you got dumped by Katie Brown.
We played ball out in the yard
We had fun growing up together.
We raced our bikes, we wrecked our cars
We took risks and made mistakes.
Stayed out late in midnight bars
We enjoyed nights out on the town.
Oh, we got drunk out in the fights
We had our share of drunken arguments.
Fell for the same girl once or twice
We had some love triangles.
And somehow made it out alive
We survived our wild youth.
But in the end, always there for each other
We always had each other's backs.
When I couldn't see, you always found a way to believe in me
You were my unwavering support.
You were the quarterback when I rode the bench
You were my leader and I followed.
The knuckleball nobody could hit
You had your own unique talents that impressed me.
If you're the underdog, you're the comeback kid
You never gave up even when the odds were against you.
You'll find a way to get through this
You're strong and you'll overcome your current struggles.
I hope you know I'd take a bullet
I'd do anything to protect you.
Stand out on the frontline
I'd put myself in harm's way for you.
Oh, life is short, don't you know it?
We should cherish our time together.
But everybody needs a partner in crime
We make a great team.
You had my back when dad got sick
You supported me during a tough time.
You being there's what did the trick
Your presence made a difference.
We both thought that that was it
We were afraid we'd lose him forever.
Oh, you were my first call that night in June
I knew I could count on you when I needed help.
You rushed in to my bail
You helped me out of a sticky situation.
We sure raise a lot of hell
We've had our share of misadventures.
I still make you swear to never tell my mother
We have secrets only we share.
Oh, we'll always be there for each other
We have an unbreakable bond.
Brother, oh, brother
You're like family to me.
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRETT ELDREDGE, TOM DOUGLAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@diwakarib6973
Lyrics:
Brother, I think it's time we talked
Why do guys like us spend most our lives playing it tough?
Oh, and brother, I see this world's got you down
You look like you look when you got your heart broke
In 7th grade by Katie Brown
We played ball out in the yard
We raced our bikes, we wrecked our cars
Stayed out late in midnight bars
Oh, we got drunk out in the fights
Fell for the same girl once or twice
And somehow made it out alive
But in the end, always there for each other
Oh, brother
When I couldn't see, you always found a way to believe in me
You were the quarterback when I rode the bench
The knuckleball nobody could hit
If you're the underdog, you're the comeback kid
You'll find a way to get through this
We played ball out in the yard
We raced our bikes, we wrecked our cars
Stayed out late in midnight bars
Oh, we got drunk out in the fights
Fell for the same girl once or twice
And somehow made it out alive
But in the end, always there for each other
Brother, oh, brother
I hope you know I'd take a bullet
Stand out on the frontline
Oh, life is short, don't you know it?
But everybody needs a partner in crime
You had my back when dad got sick
You being there's what did the trick
We both thought that that was it
Oh, you were my first call that night in June
You rushed in to my bail
We sure raise a lot of hell
I still make you swear to never tell my mother
Oh, we'll always be there for each other
Brother, oh, brother, yeah
Oh, brother
Source: LyricFind
@BethanyLykins-ws1io
R.I.P Brandon I miss you so much Bubπ’ποΈ
@pariswatson2574
Ali here!: being a baby sister of a brother who was 12 yrs older than me when I was born, I have was already a pain in his rear!! But me, my older sister and him,we're all we've got now so weve got to stick together!!!β€β€β€
@jarodgrape9761
Just buried my older brother this last Jun he was a week away from turning 41 I saw him the night he died my house had a apartment separated above mine and he got ahold of some fytnol and it killed him at my house I moved out the day after and havenβt been back since rip MAG
@jennifersherrill-ls3bq
Makes me miss my brother so much
@michaelmontgomery4795
Great song!
We lost our brother last week!
I'm going to miss you brother!! β οΈπ€
@mjonedeep5442
Forever the people who we loose will live forever as legendsπ
@harveyjaycabante7263
Perfect for my brother's birthday tomorrow. This speaks of what brothers really are. Thank you so much for making this song.
@shanthikriss64
I got two older brothers hope they have listened to this one it's a hit π
@Reddconan
Lost my brother a week ago. This song made me cry.
@johngrady640
My brother is my best friend... we fight so often but i know we'll always be there for eachother... even if i wont say it to his face. This song captures those feelings so well.