11/24/13: Great music continues to be right in Brad Paisley's "Wheelhouse," as evidenced by the release of his latest album bearing the name. It bowed on April 9, 2013 behind the release of the front-running single "Southern Comfort Zone."

"Wheelhouse" not only sold more than 100,000 copies in its first week, becoming Paisley's seventh number one album, it also went to No. 2 on the Billboard 200, behind Paramore's self-titled project. It was the first time Paisley used his own band, "The Drama Kings," on the recording instead of working with studio musicians, and the group worked out of an old farmhouse near Paisley's home in Franklin, Tennessee.

The follow-up singles to "Southern Comfort Zone" came in the form of "Beat This Summer" and "I Can't Change the World." The former hit No. 2 on the Country Airplay Chart, while the latter has had a slower climb. However, it will be one song for Paisley that could change his career in more ways than one. In August 2013, he announced plans to film a movie based on the song. He is aiming for the project, which is fictional but based on true stories, to screen in theaters and is in talks with Sony Pictures to make it happen.

Over the summer Paisley joined The Rolling Stones onstage during the band's concert in Philadelphia, and most recently hosted the 2013 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards with Carrie Underwood. He's also close to wrapping up his "Beat This Summer" tour, with the last date slated for Auburn Hills, Michigan on November 23.

Paisley will visit Dublin, Ireland and London, England in March 2014.

Brad Paisley finds his Southern Comfort Zone (Updated November 28, 2012)

Having launched his career on the strength of the country ballad, Brad Paisley branched out in more ways than one at the turn of the century.

In 2001, while nearly coinciding with the release of his sophomore album, "Part II," Paisley began dating "Father of the Bride" actress (and wife-to-be) Kimberly Williams. Beyond the romance, the Hollywood connection led to a plethora of celebrities appearing in Paisley's videos for songs like "I'm Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin' Song)" and "Celebrity," which spoofed reality shows and featured appearances by Jason Alexander, Jim Belushi and William Shatner.

If there's another thing that Paisley became famous for – beyond songs like "Alcohol," "Online" and "I'm Still a Guy" – it was his ability work a crowd with a fretboard-shredding guitar solo. A virtuoso of the stringed instrument, Paisley can (willingly) hold a crowd hostage by ripping on one of his many custom Telecasters and Tele-inspired models. Often showered with praise and instrumentalist awards, even a non-country music oriented audience began to take notice.

Having never compromised his country/southern rock sound, Paisley built the back end of the decade on more socially-conscious songs like "Welcome to the Future." The lyrics describe how life has changed over time in the U.S., from multicultural relationships to the Civil Rights movement and beyond. Paisley played the song at the White House for President Barack Obama in July 2009.

Paisley released "This is Country Music," his eighth studio album, in May 2011. It featured collaborations with supergroup Alabama (on "Old Alabama") and superstar Carrie Underwood (on "Remind Me"). Paisley also extended his "Virtual Reality" tour, which crisscrossed the country and played at a number of outdoor music festivals.

On September 20, 2012, Paisley released the new single, "Southern Comfort Zone," which debuted at No. 25 on the Hot Country Songs chart – his highest debut to date. The song is the lead single from his upcoming album, currently with a planned release in April 2013.

About Brad Paisley

Brad Paisley tickets are highly sought after within the country music crowd. After stepping onto the country scene in 1999, Brad Paisley quickly showed everyone he had talent. He released his debut album Who Needs Pictures and the single "He Didn't Have to Be" went to number one seven months later. Paisley released two more albums between 2001 and 2003, with 2003's "Mud on the Tires" featuring the hit song "Celebrity."