Hubbry Logo
search
logo
Brantley Gilbert avatar
Brantley Gilbert
Brantley Gilbert
current hub
929972

Brantley Gilbert

logo
Community Hub0 Subscribers
Read side by side
Brantley Gilbert
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Key Information

Brantley Keith Gilbert (born January 20, 1985) is an American country rock singer, songwriter and record producer from Jefferson, Georgia. He was originally signed to Colt Ford's label, Average Joes Entertainment, where he released Modern Day Prodigal Son and Halfway to Heaven. He is now signed to the Valory division of Big Machine Records where he has released six studio albums—a deluxe edition of Halfway to Heaven, Just as I Am, The Devil Don't Sleep, Fire & Brimstone, So Help Me God, Tattoos, and 14 country chart entries, four of which have gone to number one. He also co-wrote (with Colt Ford) and originally recorded Jason Aldean's singles "My Kinda Party" and "Dirt Road Anthem".

Career

[edit]

2007–2013: A Modern Day Prodigal Son and Halfway to Heaven

[edit]

Brantley Gilbert went to Nashville as a songwriter, where he signed to Warner Chappell Publishing.[4] He continued performing at local venues. In 2009, he released his debut album, A Modern Day Prodigal Son, under independent label Average Joes Entertainment. He followed with Halfway to Heaven in 2010.[5]

In 2011, he signed with Valory Music Co., a division of Big Machine Records, who released a deluxe edition of Halfway to Heaven. The album was produced by Dann Huff. Its first two singles, "Country Must Be Country Wide" and "You Don't Know Her Like I Do", both went to number one on the Hot Country Songs chart. After them, "Kick It in the Sticks" peaked at number 34, and "More Than Miles" at number 7 on Country Airplay. He won the ACM New Male Artist award in 2013.[6]

2014–2017: Just as I Am and The Devil Don't Sleep

[edit]

Gilbert's second Valory album (third overall), Just as I Am, was released in May 2014. Its lead single, "Bottoms Up", also reached number one. The second single, "Small Town Throwdown", featured guest vocals from labelmates Thomas Rhett and Justin Moore. The third single, "One Hell of an Amen", became Brantley's fourth number one hit in 2015. The album's fourth single was "Stone Cold Sober", released with the album's platinum edition.

Ahead of his fourth album, The Devil Don't Sleep, Gilbert released the single "The Weekend" as the album's lead single. Also included on the album is "The Ones That Like Me".[7][8]

A deluxe edition of The Devil Don't Sleep includes ten bonus tracks: five demos, and five tracks cut from a live performance at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre.[9]

2018–2023: Fire & Brimstone and So Help Me God

[edit]

In December 2018, Gilbert released a duet with Lindsay Ell, "What Happens in a Small Town", as the lead single from his fifth studio album, Fire & Brimstone.[10] The album was released in October 2019.[11] "Fire't Up" was released as the second single off the album.[12]

In June 2020, Gilbert released the single "Hard Days".[13][14] The song was later included on a deluxe edition of Fire & Brimstone.[15]

In June 2021, Gilbert released the single "The Worst Country Song of All Time", featuring Hardy and Toby Keith,[16] and followed it up with the promotional single "Gone But Not Forgotten" in September 2021.[17] The second promotional single, "How to Talk to Girls", was released on November 19, 2021.[18] In March 2022, Gilbert and Jason Aldean released the third promotional single, "Rolex on a Redneck".[19] In June 2022, Gilbert and Jelly Roll released the fourth promotional single, "Son of the Dirty South", which charted on multiple Billboard charts.[20]

Gilbert released his sixth studio album So Help Me God on November 10, 2022 and released "Heaven by Then", featuring Blake Shelton and Vince Gill, as the album's second single.[21] He opened for Five Finger Death Punch on their late 2022 headlining tour along with Cory Marks in the United States.[22] He released a deluxe edition of So Help Me God on April 21, 2023, containing five new tracks, including the promotional single "Bury Me Upside Down".[23] Gilbert joined Nickelback's "Get Rollin' Tour" in summer 2023 in North America as an opening act alongside fellow country artist Josh Ross.[24]

2024–present: Tattoos and Greatest Hits... So Far

[edit]

On March 8, 2024, Gilbert released "Off The Rails", as the lead promotional single from his seventh studio album.[25] The album's first official single "Over When We're Sober", featuring Ashley Cooke, was released on June 20, 2024.[26]

In July 2024, Gilbert announced his seventh studio album Tattoos, which was released on September 13, 2024.[27] He released the songs "Me and My House", featuring Struggle Jennings and Demun Jones, and "Dirty Money", featuring Justin Moore, as the album's third and fourth promotional singles, respectively.[28][29] In January 2025, Gilbert was featured on a remix of country rock artist Austin Snell's song "Muddy Water Rockstar", as promotion for Snell opening for Gilbert on tour in 2025.[30]

On May 23, 2025, Gilbert released a 10th anniversary edition of his third studio album, Just as I Am. The album contained two new live tracks that weren't included on the original release.[31] On June 6, 2025, Gilbert released a 15th anniversary edition of his second studio album, Halfway to Heaven, containing the original recordings of the album's tracks, entitled Halfway to Heaven (From the Vault).[32]

In September 2025, Gilbert announced his next single, "Want You Back" as a surprise release on September 5, 2025. Upon release, Gilbert announced his next album, a greatest hits compilation, Greatest Hits... So Far, to release on December 12, 2025, featuring three previously unreleased songs, "Want You Back", "Real American", and "Ride With Me".[33] Real American Freestyle co-founder Hulk Hogan had commissioned Gilbert to write “Real American” as the promotion’s theme song.[34]

On October 2, 2025, it was announced by surprise guest, Jelly Roll, during Gilbert concert at First Bank Amphitheater in Franklin, TN that BBR Music Group and BMG had signed. Representatives from the management group and label were present to honor Gilbert.

On February 8, 2026, Gilbert performed at Turning Point USA's All-American Halftime Show alongside Kid Rock, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett,[35] performing "Real American" and "Dirt Road Anthem".[36]

Songwriting

[edit]

In addition to his original work, Gilbert has written songs that Colt Ford and Jason Aldean have recorded. The songs "Dirt Road Anthem" (co-written and originally recorded by him and Colt Ford) and "My Kinda Party" were released on Aldean's 2010 album My Kinda Party. "My Kinda Party" was originally recorded by Gilbert on Modern Day Prodigal Son, while "Dirt Road Anthem" was on Halfway to Heaven. Aldean has also covered Gilbert's "The Best of Me", available on the iTunes release of his 2009 album Wide Open.[37] Gilbert has also co-written the tracks "The Same Way" on Aldean's album 9[38] and "Small Town Small" on his album Macon, Georgia.[39]

Personal life

[edit]

In 2013, Gilbert embarked on an eight-day USO tour to entertain American service members stationed in Italy and Kuwait.[40]

Brantley Gilbert was in a near-fatal truck accident when he was 19.[41] Gilbert is an active Christian, and his song "My Faith In You", from his album Just as I Am, speaks of his faith.

Gilbert headlined the NRA's Country Concert in February 2023.[42]

In April 2023, Gilbert smashed a can of Bud Light on stage after saying, "Yeah, fuck that." Bud Light had recently become the focus of a boycott from conservatives because of a sponsored Instagram post by transgender woman, Dylan Mulvaney.[43]

Gilbert joined Real American Beer in February 2026 as a partner and investor.[44]

Relationships

[edit]

It was announced in September 2012 that Brantley Gilbert was dating country music singer and actress Jana Kramer. They were engaged on January 20, 2013, his 28th birthday,[45] but split in August 2013.[46][47]

In October 2014, Gilbert got engaged to Amber Cochran, a teacher, after they reconnected after dating in high school. The couple were married in June 2015,[48] and have three children.[49][50][51]

Tours

[edit]
  • 2011
    • Willie Nelson's Country Throwdown Tour
    • Taste of Country Christmas Tour (headline) with Thomas Rhett
  • 2012
    • Eric Church's Blood, Sweat and Beers Tour
    • Toby Keith's Live in Overdrive Tour[52]
    • Hell on Wheels Tour (headline) Brian Davis, Greg Bates, and Uncle Kracker[53]
  • 2013
    • Tim McGraw's Two Lanes of Freedom Tour
  • 2014
  • 2015
  • 2016
  • 2017
    • The Devil Don't Sleep Tour February – April (headline) with Tucker Beathard and Luke Combs
  • 2018
    • The Ones That Like Me Tour (headline)
    • Kid Rock's Red Blooded Rock N Roll Redneck Extravaganza Tour (co-headline)
  • 2019
    • Not Like Us Tour (headline)
  • 2022
    • Son of the Dirty South Tour (with Jelly Roll and special guest Pillbox Patti)
    • Five Finger Death Punch US Arena Tour
  • 2023
    • Nickelback's Get Rollin' Tour
  • 2024
    • Off the Rails Tour
  • 2025
    • The Tattoos Tour 2025 (headline)
  • 2026

Discography

[edit]
Main article: Brantley Gilbert discography

Albums

[edit]

Compilations

[edit]
  • Greatest Hits... So Far (2025)

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Association Category Recipient Result Ref.
2011 Country Music Association Awards Song of the Year "Dirt Road Anthem" Nominated [54]
Academy of Country Music Awards New Artist of the Year Brantley Gilbert Nominated
2012 Academy of Country Music Awards New Artist of the Year Brantley Gilbert Nominated [55]
New Male Vocalist of the Year Won
American Country Awards Breakthrough Artist Single of the Year "You Don't Know Her Like I Do" Won [56]
Country Music Association Awards New Artist of the Year Brantley Gilbert Nominated [57]
2013 CRS New Faces Brantley Gilbert Won
Country Music Association Awards CMA Triple Play Award "Country Must Be Country Wide",
"You Don't Know Her Like I Do",
"Dirt Road Anthem" 		Won [58]
Academy of Country Music Awards Top New Male Artist Brantley Gilbert Won [59]
New Artist of the Year Brantley Gilbert Nominated [60]
2014 American Music Awards Favorite Country Album Just As I Am Won [61]
American Country Countdown Awards Album of the Year "Small Town Throwdown" Nominated [62]
Collaboration of the Year "Small Town Throwdown" (featuring Justin Moore and Thomas Rhett) Nominated
2015 iHeartRadio Music Awards Renegade Award Brantley Gilbert Won [63]
Billboard Music Awards Top Country Artist Brantley Gilbert Nominated [64]
Top Country Album Just as I Am Nominated
2016 CMT Music Awards Performance Video of the Year "What's Your Name" (with Lynyrd Skynyrd) – CMT Crossroads" Nominated [65]
2017 BMI Country Awards Top 50 Songs "The Weekend" Won
2019 CMT Music Awards Collaborative Video of the Year "What Happens In A Small Town" (with Lindsay Ell) Nominated [66]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Brantley Gilbert

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Brantley Keith Gilbert (born January 20, 1985) is an American country rock singer, songwriter, and record producer from Jefferson, Georgia.[1] His music fuses outlaw country with Southern rock influences, frequently addressing themes of hard-living, redemption through faith, and small-town resilience drawn from his personal struggles, including a near-fatal car accident in his youth and battles with alcohol addiction that led to sobriety in 2011.[2] Gilbert's career breakthrough came with the 2010 album Halfway to Heaven, which achieved platinum certification, followed by multi-platinum success with Just as I Am in 2014, debuting at number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.[2][3] He has secured five number-one singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, including "Bottoms Up" and "You Don't Know Her Like I Do," alongside awards such as the 2013 Academy of Country Music New Male Vocalist honor.[4][3] Beyond music, Gilbert has publicly defended traditional values, notably smashing a Bud Light can onstage in 2023 in response to the brand's controversial marketing and supporting peers against cancel culture attempts, reflecting a commitment to unfiltered expression over institutional narratives.[5][6]

Early life

Upbringing and early musical influences

Brantley Keith Gilbert was born on January 20, 1985, in Jefferson, Georgia, a small rural town where he was raised in a close-knit community emphasizing traditional Southern values shaped by family and local traditions.[7] His upbringing in this working-class environment, just outside Athens, instilled a strong connection to Southern culture, with family ties to forestry and land stewardship reflecting practical, self-reliant rural life.[8] Gilbert graduated high school with only 66 classmates, highlighting the intimate scale of his early social and educational world.[7] Gilbert attended Georgia College & State University, where he initially pursued studies toward becoming a marriage and relationship counselor while balancing academics with athletic pursuits, including an interest in college football that competed with his emerging creative inclinations.[9] He also played football and baseball in high school, showcasing early physical competitiveness typical of small-town Georgia youth.[10] These years marked a period of exploration before a pivotal shift, as injuries and other challenges began influencing his path away from conventional goals.[1] From childhood, Gilbert was exposed to a eclectic mix of music through family tapes played by his parents, including Southern rock staples like Lynyrd Skynyrd, hard rock acts such as AC/DC, and country figures like Hank Williams Jr., alongside varied artists like Kool & the Gang.[11] This broad auditory environment sparked his interest in music without initial professional intent; by age 13, he began casually writing original songs and singing, treating it as a personal outlet rather than a career ambition.[1] At age 19, around 2004, Gilbert experienced a near-fatal car accident after drinking and chasing a friend in his truck on U.S. Route 129, resulting in a rollover crash that critically injured him and erased much of his short-term memory.[12][1] The incident halted his academic progress and prompted deep reflection on his reckless lifestyle, including issues with alcohol, leading him to channel energies into music as a therapeutic pursuit and commit more seriously to songwriting as a means of redirection from aimless youth toward structured purpose.[13][14]

Career

2007–2013: Early releases and Halfway to Heaven

Gilbert independently released his debut album, A Modern Day Prodigal Son, in 2009 through limited distribution, marking his entry into the country music scene with tracks emphasizing personal redemption and rural Southern experiences.[15] During this period, he established credibility in Nashville by songwriting for established artists, notably co-authoring "Dirt Road Anthem" with Colt Ford, which Jason Aldean recorded and released as a single in 2010, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and blending country-rock elements with themes of small-town nostalgia.[16] This placement, along with contributions to other tracks like Aldean's "My Kinda Party," demonstrated Gilbert's ability to craft commercially viable songs rooted in authentic, working-class narratives rather than polished pop-country formulas prevalent in the era.[17] In 2011, Gilbert signed with The Valory Music Co., a division of Big Machine Label Group, leading to the reissue of his 2010 album Halfway to Heaven as a deluxe edition on September 13, expanding its reach with remixed tracks and additional content.[18] The album's lead single, "Country Must Be Country Wide," topped the Mediabase country singles chart in November 2011, reflecting Gilbert's advocacy for traditional country sounds amid industry shifts toward crossover appeal.[19] Follow-up single "Kick It in the Sticks," co-written with Rhett Akins and Ben Hayslip, further showcased his high-energy, party-oriented rural anthems, contributing to the album's momentum through radio play and fan engagement. These releases solidified his breakthrough, prioritizing gritty, experience-based storytelling over manufactured trends. To build his audience, Gilbert toured extensively as an opener for acts like Toby Keith on the Live in Overdrive Tour and Eric Church on the Blood, Sweat and Beers Tour, honing a raw live performance style that emphasized high-octane delivery and fan interaction, which resonated with audiences seeking unfiltered country-rock energy.[20] By 2012, he launched his first headlining outing, the Hell on Wheels Tour, starting September 27 in Lafayette, Indiana, with supporting acts including Uncle Kracker, Greg Bates, and Brian Davis on select dates, further establishing his reputation for delivering visceral, road-tested shows.[21] This touring foundation, combined with chart success, positioned Gilbert as a rising force in country music by emphasizing empirical fan connection over media-driven hype.

2014–2017: Just as I Am and The Devil Don't Sleep

Gilbert's third studio album, Just as I Am, was released on May 19, 2014, by the Valory Music Co., a division of Big Machine Label Group.[22] The record debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, moving 211,000 equivalent album units in its first week, marking one of the largest openings for a country album that year.[23] It was certified platinum by the RIAA on November 10, 2015, for shipments exceeding one million units in the United States, reflecting strong demand for Gilbert's raw, autobiographical style amid a country music landscape increasingly favoring polished production.[24] The album featured singles that underscored Gilbert's blend of high-energy party tracks and introspective narratives drawn from personal experiences, including recovery from addiction. "Bottoms Up," released in October 2014, topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, while "One Hell of an Amen" followed suit in 2015, both achieving multi-week runs at number one and driving radio play among blue-collar listeners.[25] Gilbert co-wrote the majority of the tracks, emphasizing themes of redemption and small-town life that resonated empirically through sustained chart longevity and sales over mainstream trends toward more urban-influenced country sounds. Building on this momentum, Gilbert released his fourth studio album, The Devil Don't Sleep, on January 27, 2017, also via Valory Music Co. The project debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number two on the Billboard 200, with over 94,000 units sold in its opening week, demonstrating continued commercial viability for his unrefined, guitar-driven approach.[26] Certified platinum by the RIAA, the album amassed over one million units in U.S. consumption by aggregating physical sales, digital downloads, and streaming equivalents, validating its appeal to audiences prioritizing authenticity over industry-favored homogenization.[27] Lead single "The Ones That Like Me," released in late 2016, reached number one on the Hot Country Songs chart in 2017, highlighting Gilbert's self-reliant songwriting—he co-authored every track except one, often collaborating with a core group of producers to maintain a high-octane, working-class ethos that contrasted with elite-curated preferences in Nashville's evolving scene.[28] This period solidified Gilbert's arena-level draw through hits that empirically outperformed expectations for independent-minded artists, as evidenced by RIAA data and chart metrics prioritizing fan-driven metrics over tastemaker endorsements.[29]

2018–2023: Fire & Brimstone and So Help Me God

Brantley Gilbert released his fifth studio album, Fire & Brimstone, on October 4, 2019, via The Valory Music Co.[30] The album debuted at number one on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart, earning 36,000 equivalent album units in its first week, including 28,000 in pure album sales.[31] It featured collaborations with artists such as Lindsay Ell on "What Happens in a Small Town," Colt Ford and Lukas Nelson alongside Willie Nelson on "Welcome to Hazeville," and Jamey Johnson with Alison Krauss on the title track, blending Gilbert's rock-edged country sound with guest vocals that amplified themes of redemption and small-town life.[32] The lead single, "Fire't Up," highlighted Gilbert's gritty, high-energy style rooted in rural experiences, though it faced mixed reception for adhering to established country-rock formulas.[33] Overall, the record marked a transitional phase, drawing from Gilbert's personal evolution toward fatherhood and spiritual reflection amid industry shifts toward streaming dominance.[34] In November 2022, Gilbert issued So Help Me God, his sixth studio album, on November 10 via the same label, followed by a deluxe edition in April 2023 with additional tracks.[35] The project delved into introspective themes of sobriety, family responsibilities, and enduring rural values, reflecting Gilbert's recovery from past addictions and growth as a parent.[36] Key single "Heaven by Then," featuring Blake Shelton and Vince Gill, was co-written with Hardy among others including Brock Berryhill, Jake Mitchell, Randy Montana, Hunter Phelps, and Taylor Phillips, peaking in the top echelons of country charts and underscoring a commitment to authentic, tradition-bound narratives over diluted mainstream trends.[37] Despite critiques labeling Gilbert's work as formulaic bro-country, sustained chart performance and equivalent units demonstrated fan retention through distinctive songwriting that prioritized experiential realism, evidenced by consistent co-write involvement and avoidance of urban-influenced dilutions.[38] This period showcased Gilbert's adaptability in the streaming era, with Fire & Brimstone's strong debut sales countering declines in physical formats, while So Help Me God leveraged collaborative depth to maintain relevance amid evolving listener metrics.[31] The albums' emphasis on faith-driven resilience and paternal introspection represented causal progression from earlier hell-raising personas, bolstered by verifiable data on consumption rather than unsubstantiated genre critiques.[34]

2024–present: Tattoos and ongoing career

Gilbert released his seventh studio album, Tattoos, on September 13, 2024, through The Valory Music Co., comprising 10 tracks that explore personal themes including faith, family, and life experiences, with tattoos serving as metaphors for embracing one's past rather than concealing it.[39] The album features collaborations such as "Over When We're Sober" with Ashley Cooke and "Dirty Money" with Justin Moore, reflecting Gilbert's blend of country-rock introspection and high-energy narratives drawn from his Georgia roots.[40] In 2025, Gilbert continued issuing singles to sustain momentum, sending "Want You Back"—a track with a reflective take on romantic regret—to country radio on September 5 via The Valory Music Co., as part of preparations for his forthcoming Greatest Hits… So Far compilation.[41] Later that month, he debuted "Real American," a patriotic anthem commissioned as the theme for the Real American Freestyle wrestling league and featured in a Hulk Hogan tribute special airing October 25, emphasizing themes of national pride and resilience.[42] To promote Tattoos, Gilbert launched The Tattoos Tour 2025 on February 27 at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington, with subsequent dates spanning North America through spring and into summer festivals, featuring rotating opening acts including Black Stone Cherry, Travis Denning, Austin Snell, and Colt Ford.[43] Tickets for the tour started at $25 plus fees, positioning the shows as fan-accessible events amid broader industry trends toward higher pricing, thereby reinforcing Gilbert's commitment to direct engagement with his audience base.[44]

Artistry

Musical style

Brantley Gilbert's musical style fuses country music with Southern rock, incorporating aggressive guitar riffs and propulsive rhythms that evoke the high-energy drive of Lynyrd Skynyrd.[45] This foundation draws from influences like Hank Williams Jr., whose rowdy, unapologetic approach mirrors Gilbert's emphasis on rural grit and working-class narratives rooted in his Georgia origins.[46][47] His sound prioritizes raw, organic vocals and instrumentation over heavily processed effects, delivering an unpolished intensity that aligns with '90s arena rock and country fusions.[48][49] Subtle hip-hop elements appear in select tracks, such as the rhythmic cadence and chant-like choruses of "Bottoms Up," blending urban beats with country storytelling without dominating the core aesthetic.[50][51] These infusions enhance the anthemic quality of songs focused on party motifs, vehicle culture, and redemption themes, which stem from Gilbert's personal experiences rather than abstracted commercial tropes.[50] Gilbert's high co-write involvement—such as penning or co-penning all but one song on The Devil Don't Sleep (2017)—reinforces thematic consistency and ownership, differentiating his output from formulaic mainstream country by grounding it in authentic Southern expression.[52] While some reviewers categorize his party-driven tracks as "bro-country," this overlooks the empirical self-authorship and resistance to sanitized pop production, favoring causal realism in depicting rural life over genre-blurring concessions.[53][52]

Songwriting

Brantley Gilbert maintains a hands-on approach to songwriting, typically writing or co-writing the majority of his recorded material to ensure authenticity derived from personal experiences, including a near-fatal car crash in 2003 that left him with temporary paralysis and subsequent struggles with alcohol and opioid addiction.[54][55] He has stated that his most effective songs stem from these unfiltered life events, prioritizing narrative depth and relatable specifics over generic hooks to evoke genuine emotional resonance.[56] This method contrasts with industry norms favoring polished, market-driven compositions, as Gilbert insists on personal involvement in every track he records, rejecting songs without his writing credit.[57] His collaborative process often involves trusted partners, such as songwriter Brian Davis, with whom he co-wrote "One Hell of an Amen," a track that topped the Billboard Country Airplay chart in October 2014 and marked Davis's first No. 1 as a writer.[58] Similarly, Gilbert co-wrote "Dirt Road Anthem" with Colt Ford in 2009, which he initially recorded before offering it to Jason Aldean; Aldean's version reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in April 2011, accumulating over 6 million certified units in the U.S. by 2023.[59] These efforts extend to peers, yielding verifiable successes like BMI-honored hits "Bottoms Up" (co-written with Brett James and Justin Weaver, No. 1 in January 2014).[60] Gilbert's output has reinforced the songwriter-performer archetype in country music, with BMI and ASCAP records attributing to him multiple chart-topping singles that emphasize themes of resilience, rural identity, and redemption without dilution for broader appeal.[60][61] By channeling causal sequences from his recovery—such as sobriety milestones influencing lyrics on accountability and faith—he has amassed credits for over a dozen radio No. 1s, demonstrating disproportionate impact relative to contemporaries focused primarily on performance.[55] This approach counters perceptions of country as a vocalist-dominated genre, as evidenced by his sustained co-writing success beyond solo releases.

Personal life

Addiction and recovery

Gilbert began experimenting with painkillers during high school to alleviate aches from playing wide receiver on his football team, initially using them sporadically alongside alcohol with peers.[62] This pattern escalated dramatically after a near-fatal car accident on December 18, 2004, when, at age 19, he drove his truck while intoxicated, causing it to flip five or six times and crash into a tree, resulting in severe injuries that necessitated ongoing opioid prescriptions.[12] [55] The crash marked a turning point, intensifying his dependency on painkillers and alcohol to the point of daily consumption that overrode personal agency and relationships.[63] By 2011, facing the brink of self-destruction, Gilbert entered treatment in Nashville after confiding in his manager about fears that sobriety would impair his creativity, though he ultimately committed to rigorous self-examination of his habits and triggers.[62] December 18, 2011, became the date of his final drink, initiating a sustained recovery from alcohol and opioids that reached seven years by 2018.[63] While maintaining "California sobriety" with occasional marijuana use, he credits enduring abstinence from harder substances to disciplined accountability, bolstered by faith, familial anchors, and transmuting past struggles into redemptive themes in his work, eschewing romanticized depictions of addiction in favor of unvarnished causal reckoning with choices.[63] [55]

Family and relationships

Brantley Gilbert was previously engaged to country singer and actress Jana Kramer in January 2013, a relationship that ended later that year amid reports of differing lifestyles and career demands.[64] He reconnected with high school acquaintance Amber Cochran, whom he had known since around 2005, as his music career gained traction; the couple became engaged in October 2014 and married on June 28, 2015, in a private ceremony at Gilbert's home in Jefferson, Georgia.[65][66][67] Gilbert and Cochran have three children: son Barrett Hardy-Clay, born November 11, 2017; daughter Braylen Hendrix, born September 9, 2019; and son Abram Howell, born October 11, 2024, aboard the family's tour bus during a concert in Mississippi.[68][69] The births reflect Gilbert's transition from a hard-partying bachelor persona in his early career to a committed family man, often crediting his wife and children as anchors amid touring demands.[70] The family resides in rural Georgia, where Gilbert promotes traditional Southern values including limited screen time, outdoor activities, and self-reliance instilled through hands-on parenting influenced by his grandfathers' teachings.[71] Cochran, who holds degrees in education and family counseling, founded ARC Learning Academy in 2023 as an alternative to traditional schooling or full homeschooling, starting from considerations during the 2020 pandemic to provide a community-focused environment aligned with their priorities.[72][73] Gilbert publicly emphasizes his role as protector, owning firearms for family security in line with Second Amendment advocacy, viewing it as a practical responsibility in contemporary rural life rather than ideological posturing.[74][75]

Tours

Major headlining tours

Brantley Gilbert transitioned from opening acts to headlining status with his 2012–2013 Hell on Wheels Tour, marking his debut as a tour leader following the success of singles like "You Don't Know Her Like I Do." The tour featured high-energy performances that sold out venues, including a February 9, 2013, show at West Virginia University's Coliseum drawing over 9,000 attendees. Extended into 2013 with support from Kip Moore, it spanned dates such as January 31 in Kansas City, Missouri, emphasizing Gilbert's raw, engaging stage presence that blended original material with crowd interaction.[76][77] In 2016, Gilbert launched the Take It Outside Tour, a summer amphitheater run starting June 2 in Mansfield, Massachusetts, with openers Justin Moore and Colt Ford, showcasing his draw in larger outdoor settings. The tour highlighted accessible pricing and fan-focused production, contrasting spectacle-heavy contemporaries through unpretentious setups that prioritized direct audience connection via high-octane sets incorporating covers and hits. Capacity crowds marked its openings, reinforcing Gilbert's reputation for fostering loyalty among working-class fans.[78][79] The 2025 Tattoos Tour, announced November 25, 2024, exemplifies Gilbert's ongoing headlining scale, routing across North American arenas from February 26 in Pensacola, Florida, with multi-act bills including Travis Denning and Austin Snell. Tickets starting at $25 address rising concert costs, promoting broader accessibility while maintaining Gilbert's live hallmark of intense, authentic performances that mix rock-infused country originals and fan-favorite anthems. Venues like Jacksonville's VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena underscore sustained demand, with reviews praising his commanding presence and emotional delivery.[43][44][80]

Discography

Studio albums

Halfway to Heaven, Brantley Gilbert's major-label debut studio album, was initially released on March 16, 2010, through The Valory Music Co., with a deluxe reissue following in 2011. The album peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and No. 2 on the Top Country Albums chart.[81] It achieved platinum certification from the RIAA for one million units sold.[82] Just as I Am, his follow-up, came out on May 19, 2014, via Valory and debuted at No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts.[83] The record earned platinum status from the RIAA, reflecting sales of one million copies.[25] The Devil Don't Sleep arrived on January 20, 2017, under Valory and topped the Top Country Albums chart. Fire & Brimstone, released October 11, 2019, also via Valory, debuted at No. 1 on Top Country Albums and reached the top 10 on the Billboard 200 with 36,000 equivalent album units in its first week.[31][84] So Help Me God followed on November 11, 2022, through Valory, entering the top 10 on country charts.[85] Gilbert's seventh studio album, Tattoos, was issued in September 2024 by Valory, supported by radio singles amid his ongoing touring schedule.[85][86]
AlbumRelease dateLabelBillboard 200 peakTop Country Albums peakRIAA certification
Halfway to HeavenMarch 16, 2010Valory42Platinum
Just as I AmMay 19, 2014Valory11Platinum
The Devil Don't SleepJanuary 20, 2017Valory—1—
Fire & BrimstoneOctober 11, 2019Valory91—
So Help Me GodNovember 11, 2022Valory—Top 10—
TattoosSeptember 2024Valory———

Awards and nominations

Notable achievements

Gilbert received the Academy of Country Music Award for New Male Vocalist of the Year in 2013, recognizing his breakthrough as a solo artist following the success of his reissued album Halfway to Heaven.[87] His single "Bottoms Up," from the 2014 album Just as I Am, earned BMI honors for its performance royalties, reflecting over two million radio plays at the time of celebration and later achieving RIAA 7× Platinum certification for seven million units sold in the United States.[60] [88] The RIAA certified Gilbert's debut major-label album Halfway to Heaven as Platinum on June 9, 2014, for one million shipments, marking his first such milestone.[82] Additional RIAA certifications include Platinum status for Just as I Am in 2016 and for the single "My Kind of Crazy" in June 2024, alongside multi-Platinum honors for tracks like "Country Must Be Country Wide" (2× Platinum) and "You Don't Know Her Like I Do" (2× Platinum).[25] [89] [88] Gilbert has secured multiple BMI Country Awards for song performance, including recognition for "One Hell of an Amen" in 2016, underscoring the empirical airplay dominance of his compositions with millions of logged plays across radio and streaming.[90] He made his Grand Ole Opry debut on August 17, 2012, establishing a recurring presence on the historic stage that validates his integration into country music's foundational institutions.[91]

References

  1. Brantley Gilbert - Biography - IMDb
  2. Brantley Gilbert - Red Light Management
  3. Artist Development Case Study: Brantley Gilbert - Billboard
  4. Brantley Gilbert | Biography, Music & News - Billboard
  5. Country music star Brantley Gilbert gets tossed a Bud Light ... - Reddit
  6. Country Music Star Brantley Gilbert Lashes Out at Jason Aldean ...
  7. https://www.theboot.com/brantley-gilbert-what-happens-in-a-small-town-back-story-wife/
  8. Meet Brantley Gilbert, a Georgia native and country music star ...
  9. Trivia - Brantley Gilbert - IMDb
  10. https://www.theboot.com/brantley-gilbert-interview/
  11. Brantley Gilbert Is Influenced By All Different Types Of Music
  12. Brantley Gilbert: Keith Urban saved my life - The Tennessean
  13. Brantley Gilbert on Song That Almost Killed Him - Taste of Country
  14. Near-Fatal Truck Crash Leads Brantley Gilbert To Music
  15. https://www.discogs.com/release/3580565-Brantley-Gilbert-A-Modern-Day-Prodigal-Son
  16. Brantley Gilbert – Top Songs as Writer – Music VF, US & UK hit charts
  17. Jason Aldean – Dirt Road Anthem Lyrics - Genius
  18. Brantley Gilbert to Release Deluxe Edition of 'Halfway to Heaven ...
  19. Brantley Gilbert Goes 'Country Wide' With First No. 1 Single - The Boot
  20. Brantley Gilbert - Wikiwand
  21. Brantley Gilbert Tour Is 'Hell on Wheels' for First-Time Headliner
  22. Brantley Gilbert To Release "JUST AS I AM" On May 19
  23. BRANTLEY GILBERT'S JUST AS I AM BECOMES ONE OF THE ...
  24. Brantley Gilbert's 'Just as I Am' Goes Platinum - The Boot
  25. https://musicgoldmine.com/products/brantley-gilbert-riaa-halfway-to-heaven-just-as-i-am-platinum-albums-award
  26. BRANTLEY GILBERT'S THE DEVIL DON'T SLEEP LANDS ...
  27. Brantley Gilbert :: Charts & Sales History - UKMIX Forums
  28. Brantley Gilbert Discusses Making 'The Devil Don't Sleep' - Billboard
  29. Album Review – Brantley Gilbert's “The Devil Don't Sleep”
  30. When did Brantley Gilbert release Fire & Brimstone? - Genius
  31. Brantley Gilbert's 'Fire & Brimstone' Is No 1 On Top Country Albums
  32. Fire & Brimstone - Album by Brantley Gilbert | Spotify
  33. Brantley Gilbert's “Fire & Brimstone” Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard's ...
  34. 'Fire & Brimstone': Brantley Gilbert Finds Faith, Fatherhood - The Boot
  35. Brantley Gilbert Announces New Album, 'So Help Me God' - The Boot
  36. Meaning Behind the Song: "Heaven By Then" by Brantley Gilbert
  37. Brantley Gilbert, Blake Shelton, Vince Gill Sing 'Heaven by Then'
  38. Brantley Gilbert Slates Deluxe Edition Of 'So Help Me God' For April
  39. BRANTLEY GILBERT REVEALS TATTOOS SEPTEMBER 13
  40. Tattoos - Album by Brantley Gilbert - Apple Music
  41. MULTI-PLATINUM COUNTRY ROCKER BRANTLEY GILBERT ...
  42. Brantley Gilbert: Home
  43. Multi-Platinum Trailblazer Brantley Gilbert Takes 'Tattoos' on the ...
  44. Tour - Brantley Gilbert
  45. Lynyrd Skynyrd, Brantley Gilbert Talk Country Attitude, Perform 'Name'
  46. Tim McGraw on Brantley Gilbert: 'He Reminds Me of Hank, Jr.'
  47. Rock the South: 20 big stars who played at the music festival in ...
  48. Brantley Gilbert - Your Georgia Country
  49. Brantley Gilbert and Jelly Roll Deliver New Collaboration "Son Of ...
  50. Brantley Gilbert: 5 Songs That Inspired Me - Rolling Stone
  51. Review: Brantley Gilbert – Just As I Am - New Transcendence
  52. Brantley Gilbert Appreciates Singers Who Don't Try to Be Writers
  53. Brantley Gilbert Doubles Down On Bro Country : The Record - NPR
  54. Tough start for rising star: Brantley Gilbert survives crash, inspired to ...
  55. Brantley Gilbert Celebrates 9 Years of Sobriety - Taste of Country
  56. Brantley Gilbert talks making songwriting personal and touring in ...
  57. Brantley Gilbert On What Makes A Song His - Kicks 99
  58. Brantley Gilbert, Co-Writers Celebrate Emotional No. 1
  59. The Story Behind the Song: Jason Aldean, "Dirt Road Anthem"
  60. BMI Celebrates Double-Platinum Hit 'Bottoms Up' with Brantley Gilbert
  61. Nashville Says "Bottoms Up" For Brantley Gilbert Chart-Topper
  62. Gilbert Put 'His Life Under a Microscope' to Kick Addiction - The Boot
  63. How Brantley Gilbert Went from Keeping a Bottle 'Within Arm's ...
  64. Brantley Gilbert Is Engaged! - People.com
  65. Brantley Gilbert and Wife Amber Cochran's Relationship Timeline
  66. Brantley Gilbert Marries Amber Cochran - The Boot
  67. Who Is Brantley Gilbert's Wife? All About Amber Cochran Gilbert
  68. Brantley Gilbert and Wife Amber Welcome Son Barrett Hardy-Clay
  69. Brantley Gilbert Explains Why His Baby Was Born On His Tour Bus
  70. Podcast: Brantley Gilbert Is Worried About His Kids Googling Him
  71. Brantley Gilbert Pushes Old-School Values in Parenting His Three ...
  72. Amber Cochran Gilbert on Instagram
  73. Did You Know That Brantley Gilbert's Wife Started Her Own School?
  74. We Asked If Brantley Gilbert Was Doomsday Ready, He Blew Our ...
  75. Brantley Gilbert's Tattoos Reflect His Faith, Patriotism - The Boot
  76. Brantley Gilbert | Arts & Entertainment - events.wvu.edu
  77. Brantley Gilbert Extends Hell on Wheels Tour Into 2013, Adds Kip ...
  78. Brantley Gilbert Announces 2016 Take It Outside Summer Tour Dates
  79. BRANTLEY GILBERT OPENS BLACKOUT TOUR WITH CAPACITY ...
  80. BRANTLEY GILBERT Live Review – Toyota Amphitheatre in ...
  81. Brantley Gilbert Heading for No. 2 Debut on Billboard 200 Chart
  82. Reggae, Country, R&B & Pop Music Fuels New Gold & Platinum ...
  83. Gilbert tops Billboard chart - Country Standard Time
  84. Brantley Gilbert Lands Top Ten Debut | Country 97.5 FM - Honolulu, HI
  85. MUSIC - Brantley Gilbert
  86. Brantley Gilbert (@brantleygilbert) / Posts / X
  87. 77% of 2013 ACM Awards Go Home With BMI Writers | News | BMI ...
  88. Brantley Gilbert - Carolina Country Music Fest
  89. BRANTLEY GILBERT'S NEW SINGLE ARRIVES: “OVER WHEN WE ...
  90. Photos: 2016 BMI Country Awards - The Tennessean
  91. BG made his Grand Ole Opry debut.... Check it out.... - Facebook
User Avatar
No comments yet.