Biography
"Growing up in a small farming community in Central California, gave this farm boy the incentive to create songs that depict life in the country. Brandon grew up listening to Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Hank Williams, good old fashioned country music. He never pursued a singing career in high school or college, even though he was often told by his friends that he had a good voice and should join a band. After college he started writing songs with a friend, Curtis Marsh, and they talked about moving to Nashville. His decision to move to Nashville came when a friend dared him to audition for the Nashville Star Show, which would be aired live on USA Network. Brandon auditioned in Fresno with 300 other hopefuls all vying for the #1 spot. Brandon’s look, with spiked hair, baggy pants and converse tennis shoes didn’t exactly look like he would be singing country. What a surprise when he sang, Lovesick Blues by Hank Sr., he had the crowd on their feet and cheering. He was chosen as one of 12 finalists out of approximately 8000 applicants nationwide to compete on national TV. Brandon was the only contestant who had never performed in front of an audience before entering this contest. He made it to #5 before being voted off the show, pretty good for a farm boy who had no prior performing experience!
As a finalist on Nashville Star he recorded Act Naturally on the Nashville Star CD, released by Sony when the show aired. When the album was released, critics reviewing the album said it was one of the best albums to come out of Nashville and it was recorded in less than a week. Brandon received a plaque for an outstanding job, from one of the song writers of Act Naturally, Vonnie Morrison, she had watched Brandon perform this song and she said it was one of the best performances she had heard since Buck Owens released the song in March of 1963; Brandon’s version was released in March, 2003, 40 years later.
When Brandon finished with the show, he stayed in Nashville to record his first CD, That Boy Ain’t Right, with 11 tracks all written by him and Curtis. Track #5, Life Don’t Get Much Better Than This, was played on 160 stations across the US last summer, it hit the NMW country charts climbing to#36 and staying there for several weeks. Track #3, Heaven Needs Angels won 3rd place in Billboard’s Songwriting contest in 2004; this song was released on CDX volume #356 reaching radio stations on November 1st, it made it into the NMW country up and coming. This song also made it into the semi-final rounds in the International songwriting contest (over 11,000 entries). Critics have compared him to the Bakersfield sound of Merle Haggard and Buck Owens, a traditional country sound but with his own distinctive voice that makes all ages want to listen over and over again. His look and sound has captured teenagers to seniors wanting to hear more.
Brandon has opened for several country stars; Lonestar, Joe Nichols, Buddy Jewel, the winner of NS, SHeDAISY, Phil Vassar and others. He has done several concerts throughout the US and Canada.
Brandon’s been busy these past couple of months writing songs with another finalist from the show, Prentiss Varnon and plans on recording another CD sometime this year."
Bio From Brandon Silvera's official web page
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