
Feature Photo: Matt Duboff, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Country music became part of Brett Kissel’s life almost from the moment he could hold a guitar. Raised on a cattle ranch near Flat Lake, Alberta, Canada, Kissel grew up surrounded by western culture, farming life, and traditional country music influences that later shaped his songwriting and stage identity. Born on May 27, 1990, he began performing publicly while still a child, releasing independent recordings before most artists even graduate high school. His early years were spent balancing ranch life with music, building a reputation across Alberta through local performances and independent releases that showcased a deep connection to classic country traditions.
Kissel released his debut independent album, Keepin’ It Country, in 2003 when he was only 13 years old. Additional independent releases followed quickly, including By Request in 2004, My Roots Run Deep in 2006, and Look at Y’all in 2007. During those years, he developed not only as a singer but also as a songwriter and multi instrumentalist. His work ethic and traditional country image helped him stand out in Canadian country music long before he signed a major recording contract. In 2011, he released Started with a Song, which helped expand his audience further and set the stage for his breakthrough years.
The major commercial turning point came after signing with Warner Music Canada. In 2013, Kissel released Started with a Song through the label, producing the hit singles “Started with a Song,” “3 2 1,” and “Tough People Do.” The album earned substantial attention within Canadian country music and established him as one of the leading younger artists in the genre. “3 2 1” became particularly significant because it reached number one on the Canada Country chart, marking the first chart topper of his career. The album also earned him the Canadian Country Music Association Award for Male Artist of the Year, beginning a long run of industry recognition.
Success continued with Pick Me Up in 2015, which featured songs such as “Airwaves,” “Damn!,” “I Didn’t Fall in Love with Your Hair,” and “Make a Life, Not a Living.” The album further expanded his radio presence across Canada and demonstrated his ability to move between traditional country storytelling and more contemporary production styles. Kissel became especially popular for combining polished commercial country with themes rooted in rural Canadian life, family, relationships, and small-town values. His stage presence and energetic live shows also helped strengthen his reputation throughout Canadian touring circuits.
In 2017, Kissel released We Were That Song, another major career milestone that included “Guitars and Gasoline,” “Anthem,” “We Were That Song,” and “You Can’t Bring Me Down.” The album produced multiple successful singles and reinforced his standing within the Canadian country music industry. Additional albums followed steadily, including Now or Never in 2020, What Is Life? in 2021, and the ambitious four-album project released in 2023, consisting of The Compass Project, West Album, East Album, South Album, and North Album. That large-scale project reflected both his productivity and his desire to explore different musical directions while still remaining grounded in country music.
Kissel’s history of awards became one of the strongest parts of his career. He earned multiple Canadian Country Music Association Awards, including Male Artist of the Year several times, Album of the Year, Fans’ Choice Award, Interactive Artist or Group of the Year, and Single of the Year honors. He also won Juno Awards, including Country Album of the Year. These achievements helped cement him as one of the defining Canadian country artists of his generation. Fans connected strongly to his approachable personality, strong live performances, traditional roots, and ability to combine modern country production with older country music values.
Outside music, Kissel remained closely tied to agriculture, ranching culture, and Canadian rural communities. He frequently participated in agricultural events, rodeos, charity concerts, and Canadian country music fundraisers. He also became involved with organizations that support Canadian farmers and promote rural mental health awareness. During the COVID period, he performed livestream concerts and online fan events that helped maintain strong connections with audiences when touring shut down. Kissel additionally worked with charitable campaigns connected to food banks, children’s hospitals, and community fundraising projects throughout Canada, often tying those appearances directly to local events and benefit concerts rather than large corporate campaigns.
Family life also became a visible part of Kissel’s public image. He married Cecilia Kallin in 2018, and the couple later had children together. Throughout interviews and social media appearances, Kissel often emphasized balancing music with family responsibilities and maintaining his connection to ranch life in Alberta despite his growing success in the entertainment industry. Across more than a dozen albums, numerous charting singles, major awards, and years of touring, Brett Kissel built a career that remained deeply connected to the Canadian country traditions that shaped him from the beginning.
Complete List Of Brett Kissel Songs From A to Z
- 3-2-1 – Started with a Song – 2013
- A Few Good Stories – Now or Never – 2020
- Ain’t the Same (with 98 Degrees) – The Compass Project – 2023
- Airwaves – Pick Me Up – 2015
- All I Ever Wanted – The Compass Project – 2023
- All This Cowboy Needs (with Morgan Klaiber) – Let Your Horses Run – The Album – 2025
- Another One – Let Your Horses Run – The Album – 2025
- Anthem – We Were That Song – 2017
- Behind Closed Doors – The Compass Project – 2023
- Better Bad Idea – What Is Life? – 2021
- Between You and Me – We Were That Song – 2017
- Black Eyed Susans – The Compass Project – 2023
- Burgers and Fries (featuring Charley Pride) – We Were That Song – 2017
- Cadillac Ranch – The Compass Project – 2023
- Canadian Kid – Started with a Song – 2013
- Cecilia – We Were That Song – 2017
- Close to You – Let Your Horses Run – The Album – 2025
- Coastline – The Compass Project – 2023
- Coffee with Her – Now or Never – 2020
- Cool with That – Pick Me Up – 2015
- Country in My Blood – Started with a Song – 2013
- Cowboys & Dreamers – Let Your Horses Run – The Album – 2025
- Damn! (featuring Dave Mustaine) – We Were That Song – 2017
- Deer Blind – The Compass Project – 2023
- Die to Go Home – What Is Life? – 2021
- Down to Earth – What Is Life? – 2021
- Drink About Me – Now or Never – 2020
- Drink, Cuss, or Fish – We Were That Song – 2017
- Drive – The Compass Project – 2023
- Everything in the Rearview – What Is Life? – 2021
- Feet Back on the Ground – Pick Me Up – 2015
- First Place – The Compass Project – 2023
- From Aria (Interlude) (featuring Aria Kissel) – What Is Life? – 2021
- From Leo (Interlude) (featuring Leo Kissel) – What Is Life? – 2021
- From Mila (Interlude) (featuring Mila Kissel) – What Is Life? – 2021
- From This Day Forward – What Is Life? – 2021
- Get the Hell Out of This Town (with Don Louis) – Let Your Horses Run – The Album – 2025
- Girl in a Cowboy Hat – Started with a Song – 2013
- God Made Daughters – We Were That Song – 2017
- Guitars and Gasoline – We Were That Song – 2017
- Here’s Hoping There’ll (Always Be a Cowboy) – The Compass Project – 2023
- Hummingbird – Now or Never – 2020
- Hurtin’ Songs – Let Your Horses Run – The Album – 2025
- I Can Play Guitar (featuring Hunter Hayes) – Pick Me Up – 2015
- I Didn’t Fall in Love with Your Hair (with Carolyn Dawn Johnson) – Pick Me Up – 2015
- I Hope It’s Me – Pick Me Up – 2015
- I’m Not Him, I’m Not Her (featuring Christina Taylor) – Now or Never – 2020
- Kindness – What Is Life? – 2021
- Legacy – The Compass Project – 2023
- Let Your Horses Run – Let Your Horses Run – The Album – 2025
- Line in the Sand – The Compass Project – 2023
- Long Hot Summer – Started with a Song – 2013
- Made It – The Compass Project – 2023
- Make a Life, Not a Living – What Is Life? – 2021
- Meet Me in Vegas – The Compass Project – 2023
- Missin’ You in San Antone – The Compass Project – 2023
- My Cowgirl – Started with a Song – 2013
- Never Have I Ever – The Compass Project – 2023
- Night in the Life – What Is Life? – 2021
- Nights in the Sun (featuring Grandpa Bear) – We Were That Song – 2017
- Nowhere – The Compass Project – 2023
- Nowhere to Ride – Let Your Horses Run – The Album – 2025
- Oil and Cattle (featuring George Canyon, Don Amero, and Brad Johner) – The Compass Project – 2023
- Our Home – The Compass Project – 2023
- Pick Me Up – Pick Me Up – 2015
- Port Colborne – The Compass Project – 2023
- Queen on the River – The Compass Project – 2023
- Raise Your Glass – Started with a Song – 2013
- Rich Is (with Phil Vassar) – Let Your Horses Run – The Album – 2025
- Sanctuary (featuring Cecilia Kissel) – The Compass Project – 2023
- She Drives Me Crazy – Now or Never – 2020
- She Knows What She Likes – Started with a Song – 2013
- She’s Desire – Pick Me Up – 2015
- Shootin’ It – We Were That Song – 2017
- Slidin’ Your Way – What Is Life? – 2021
- Slow Me Down – We Were That Song – 2017
- Something You Just Don’t Forget – Started with a Song – 2013
- Spend a Little Time With You – The Compass Project – 2023
- Standing in the Dark – The Compass Project – 2023
- Started with a Song – Started with a Song – 2013
- Starts and Ends – The Compass Project – 2023
- Strait Country – The Compass Project – 2023
- Ten Years From Now – The Compass Project – 2023
- That’s Country Music – Now or Never – 2020
- That’s How the World Ends – We Were That Song – 2017
- That’s Just You – The Compass Project – 2023
- That’s Why God Made Guitars – Pick Me Up – 2015
- The Crib Song – The Compass Project – 2023
- The Man I Am – Started with a Song – 2013
- Together (Grandma & Grandpa’s Song) – Started with a Song – 2013
- Tough People Do – Started with a Song – 2013
- Two of Us (with Cooper Alan) – Let Your Horses Run – The Album – 2025
- Watch It – The Compass Project – 2023
- We Were That Song – We Were That Song – 2017
- What Is Life? (A Perspective) – What Is Life? – 2021
- When I Get on a Memory – The Compass Project – 2023
- Why Won’t You – Pick Me Up – 2015
- Wichita Lineman – The Compass Project – 2023
- Without – What Is Life? – 2021
- Young Enough – Now or Never – 2020
Albums
Started with a Song (2013): 13 songs
Pick Me Up (2015): 10 songs
We Were That Song (2017): 13 songs
Now or Never (2020): 8 songs
What Is Life? (2021): 14 songs
The Compass Project (2023): 32 songs
Let Your Horses Run – The Album (2025): 10 songs
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