dream to follow their lead. And with the release of his Epic Records debut, Wings of a Honky Tonk Angel, he finally has his chance.

Brad first whet his appetite for stone country as a small boy, listening to his father plunk out tunes on his guitar while rehearsing in the family den in the tiny four-stoplight town of Greenfield, Ohio (also the hometown of Johnny Paycheck). His dad was such a huge influence on him growing up that the first time Brad heard Haggard on the radio he says, "Hey, I thought my dad did that song!"

By age 5 Brad was already tagging along to dates at fairs and festivals around the county and soaking up all he could absorb about the life. "There was always music around when I was growing up," he recalls. "Dad would set up in the dining room or rehearse in the garage. I'd watch him write out the lyrics to a Haggard song and work it up on his guitar. It was always there, always around us, and always part of our lives."

His father eventually traded his musical aspirations for a blue-collar job at the local factory to focus on his family responsibilities, but the seed had already started to take root in his young son. "My dad led by example, and I hope I never fail him in that."

Though a healthily mischievous kid who also had an interest in sports and other things besides music, ("I was outgoing, rambunctious - Mom had to keep her eye on me, I guarantee you that!"), Brad continued to find outlets to perform, in the school choir, or musicals, and even in marching band as a drummer. Though he was also certified in carpentry as a young teen and toyed with the idea of building houses at one point, after high school he elected to attend Hocking College and pursue a degree in Telecommunications/Broadcast Engineering.

"I've always loved building; it's a creative outlet for me, another means of inventing, and I always liked to work with my hands. I learned that from my Dad. I had always been interested in cameras too, so that's why I chose to study broadcasting. And it actually served me well 'cause I worked as a freelance grip in Nashville for some video companies for a while when I first got to town. But I would still travel home on the weekends from school to sing with my family at jamborees," he recalls.

After graduation in 1994, Brad made a beeline for the Tennessee state line and his dreams of becoming a star, and was soon performing five nights a week in Printers Alley at a club called Barbara's. Ask him what he considers his first big break, and he'll laughingly tell you, "Paying my first month's rent."

It wasn't long before his talent caught the eye of a respected artist manager who saw potential in Brad but felt he needed some 'seasoning' before he was ready for a record deal. He advised Brad to write songs, sing demos and learn everything he could about the business of music. Brad took the advice to heart and spent the next several years honing his chops and developing his own unique style as a singer and songwriter.

When Sony Music execs heard his demos, they recognized the young artist's originality and respect for tradition, and gave him a chance to make his mark. Through the entire recording process, Brad has continued to hit the road criss-crossing the country performing everywhere he can. The band he put together over a year ago is as tight as any on the circuit, and they take as much pride in delivering Brad Martin music as he does himself.

Keep listening to 96.9 WXBQ to hear the latest releases from Brad Martin. He's a rising star with a growing number of fans, and we're sure we'll be hearing from Brad for a long time to come.