Country music superstar Brad Paisley was born in Marshall County on October 28, 1972. At age eight, the Glen Dale native began studying guitar with local musician “Hank” Goddard. Only two years later, he stepped in as the front man for the C-Notes, a local band of older musicians. At age 14, he became the youngest-ever regular cast member of Jamboree USA. He remained with the Wheeling radio show for eight years.
In the 1990s, he took his talents to Nashville and cut his debut album in 1999. The song “He Didn’t Have to Be” became Paisley’s first number one hit. The next year, the Academy of Country Music named him the Top New Male Vocalist. And, in 2001, he joined the Grand Ole Opry.
By 2010, Paisley had won more than 60 awards, including three Grammys. As one of the biggest stars in country music, he hasn’t shied away from controversial subjects. His 2013 album Wheelhouse addresses topics ranging from racism to spousal abuse. In recognition of his popularity, Paisley has been asked to perform at President Barack Obama’s inauguration and at the White House on two occasions.