Dear Paul,

In a year when my wife and I have lost both of our grandfathers to cancer, are about to lose my father to the same, and yet, have just celebrated the arrival of our first niece to either side of our family, never has a song like 'Live Now' seemed more relevant to us. Thank you for this song, for all your songs, and for the Faith that inspires you. As I am sure you know, it spreads so far beyond yourself to others when they need it the most.

God Bless,
Stuart and Kate Chase,
Vancouver BC

Dear Stuart and Kate,
Thanks for the encouraging note.  Liz and I have gone through similar struggles in our lives as well, and 'Live Now' was inspired by these, especially her dad's illness and continued struggle with Parkinson's Disease and Cancer.

I think that music is a "missing-link" of sorts... it connects us with Another World, worlds like C.S. Lewis'  'Narnia', or worlds in scenes from 'The Lord of the Rings'.  Music and the stirring that it causes in all of us reminds us that there is something else out there beyond what we see, and it encourages us to ask what that might be.  

I'm glad that the song was a comfort to you!
I received your e-mail while I'm stranded in Minneapolis, on my way to Nashville to continue work on my new album 'Risk'.  Be watching for the first single in May, I hope you like it!

God Bless,

-pb-

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Paul,

My son moved from Nova Scotia to High Level, Alberta in September. I miss him alot. I have never been to Alberta but hope to go some day. Your video, Alberta Bound makes me feel closer to him. From your video, it looks very beautiful.! Its easier knowing he is in such a beautiful place. Thank you.

Beverly Stevens

Hey Beverly!

Thanks for your e-mail.  I'm glad you like the Alberta Bound video, it was shot in some of my favorite places in my home province, including the Crowsnest Pass, where my mom's side of the family is from. I hope you do make it out here one of these days, it'll be a trip you'll never forget.  Make sure you stop in at The Blue Dog Restaurant in Cochrane, Alberta while you're here, it's a pretty cool little place for dinner. (For fans in Alberta, you will soon be hearing the song Alberta Bound in commercials on television for Ford cars and trucks, and I couldn't be more proud of that fact.  Don't laugh at my acting!!) Hope your son checks in to paulbrandt.com and sees that you've been thinking of him, I think that's kinda sweet.

Cheers!
-pb-

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hey Paul,

I just love you and the many things that you stand for as a person and artist. You are a remarkable human. I live in Banff , Alberta and i was at your Christmas taping last year which was the best. You even after a sound check walked right by me and even said hello. I was just wondering when the concert will be on the television. Can't wait to see it and all the good memories. Just wanted to say that i have done two shoeboxes one for a little girl and one for a little boy. I am so glad and it ahs made me feel so good to bring happiness to a child. I would though like to get involved more with your charities. Thanks for being the kind of loving and caring human being that you are. Your wife is so lucky to be part of your life as you are hers.

Take care.
Diane Barlow

Hey Diane,
Well... (blush)... I wouldn't say 'remarkable'... but thanks for the kind words.  It's fans like you that keep me coming back every time.  I've got the best job in the world.

Thanks for your support of Operation Christmas Child (Click Here), and thanks for the encouragement. Fans who haven't brought their gifts in yet can do so up until November 18th...  

Fans in Calgary, keep an eye out for the Christmas Convoy Big Rig, delivering our 4062 shoe boxes with Calgary EMS on November 17th as we parade through the city all the way to Samaritan's Purse.

As you may already know, my new album 'A Gift' will be in stores November 7th, and I'm pretty excited about it.  The Christmas special that you mentioned will be aired this year on CMT, check out www.cmt.ca for more details.

Oh, and Diane... when it comes to Liz... trust me... I'm the lucky one.  I married up.  Way up. :-)

God Bless,
-pb-

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Hello Paul,

I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR THE SONG ALBERTA BOUND. IT HAS BEEN VERY RARE LATELY FOR ME TO GET SO EMOTIONAL OVER A SONG BEING A 51 YR OLD LADY. BUT YOU CAPTURED HOW I FEEL ABOUT ALBERTA. I WAS BORN IN THREE HILLS, AND DRAGGED KICKING AND SCREAMING ! TO BC AT THE AGE OF 16. IT IS THE PLACE I WANT TO BE BURIED IN. I HAVE GONE BACK A FEW TIMES AND EVERY TIME I CROSSED THAT BORDER INTO ALBERTA I HAVE FELT LIKE I WAS HOME. I COULD NEVER DESCRIBE THAT FEELING TO ANYBODY ELSE, BUT YOU CAPTURED IT. YOU WILL BE COMING TO VANCOUVER IN OCT, I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO WIN TICKETS BUT JUST KNOW THAT MY SPIRIT WILL BE THERE. I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW HOW HAPPY YOU HAVE MADE THIS OLD BROAD., THANK YOU

Dear Kathy,

Thanks so much for the e-mail!  As I'm getting ready to take off on this promotional tour to let people know about Operation Christmas Child, and my new album "A Gift", your e-mail comes as a great encouragement.  Thanks! It's amazing to me how the songs on the "This Time Around" album attached themselves to so many people, but Alberta Bound seems to have captured the hearts of more than just us Alberta natives.  There's something about the spirit of Alberta that just keeps you coming back for more, isn't there? Sorry that the Fan Jam Show in Nov is win to get in, and that you haven't made it in... but you could come see me at our O.C.C. stop in Vancouver next week... if you do, please say hi! Just wanted to drop you a note to let you know that you made my day too. 

Love,
-pb-

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Hello Paul,

I know that no one understands the power of music more than you but for the past 2 years I have wanted to share this story with you and say a special thank you. 

My husband went through a terrible time in his life and some really bad things happened in our marriage. It all came to a head and I was an absolute mess. I asked family to take our 2 little boys for a few days while I tried to come to grips with what was happening to me. Sometime during all of this I saw the video for "Leaving" and really enjoyed the song but I was struck by the implication that leaving could mean going either way. 

After picking up my boys in Red Deer we were driving back home to Calgary. I am not kidding you about this at all, but we broke down in Balzac (my 7 year old's favorite joke!). It was 30 some degrees and the three of us had to walk into the gas station. My first instinct was to call my husband to help me out but I realized that I didn't need to. I managed to fix the problem, told the kids that you had filmed a video in this little place, got the kids back into the van and away we went. I turned on the radio and there you were! I turned the volume waaaay up and sang along...pouring out my heart and for the first time felt that I would survive all of this. I realized that I may be going one way or another but no matter what I was "Leaving" the dark place I was in. I credit the strength I found that day with helping us to work through all the crap and allowing us to save our family.

Thanks for being such a great ambassador for Canadian country music, for Calgary and Christians. I will always be thankful that your gift was able to help me find the strength I needed.
Thanks!

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Hi Paul,

I'm Vittorio from Italy and I love too much your songs, I'd like to  know have u ever been to italy? When you'll be here for a concert? don't forget we love you here

Ciao
Vittorio

Howdy Vittorio!
Well thank you so much for the invite... no, I've never been to Italy, but I've always wanted to visit...  I'll let you know if we ever have plans to head over there. 

The only problem is, I like Italian food so much, there may not be much time for singing :-)

Keep checking in with the website for new concert listings and updates, then if we ever make it over there, you'll be the first to know.  In the meantime, please know that you've made my day taking the time to send an e-mail in and letting me know that you like the music!

Ciao from Alberta,
-pb-

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Hey Y'all,

I was scanning through all of your amazing e-mails and came across this one recently. A little background to the story...

I woke up to the sound of my cell phone ringing the day of our show in Dauphin, and was informed by a very nervous road manager that the flight for most of the band coming from Nashville was cancelled. The only people that would make it that day were Steve Rosen (Keyboards), Brett Clark (Drums), Bob Spittle (Soundman) and me. It looked like the show might not happen.

We decided to go on with the show and make the best of it, there's never been a show that I've missed in my entire 10 year career, and believe it or not, there have even been days I've been in the hospital during the morning, and on stage by the evening... so I wasn't about to start cancelling shows in Dauphin (besides, they always have a huge party there, and I wasn't missing it for the world). I love what I do, and I thank all of you for letting me do it!

The fans made that show what it was. They were amazing, and we had a great time together, and I got to meet a new friend named Jeannine. Obviously, from her letter below, the song "Convoy" struck a chord with her and her family as well. Since meeting the great folks at Paul Brandt Trucking in Morris, MB, recording that song, and shooting the video, my life has been forever changed. It may seem like a "light & fun" song to most, but that song has allowed me to meet some pretty incredible folks out there, folks who are hard-working, a lot of fun, and boy, do they love their Country!

I look forward to seeing you all out there on the road this summer at the festivals, this is the Rubber Duck... Buh Bye!

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Hello Paul and family!

First of all, I want to thank you Paul for your outstanding performance on Canada Day! You are a true "Canadian Man"! Your song brought out the patriotic Canadian in each one of us that night, and to top it off, everyone sang O Canada together...what a moment!

Secondly, I understand what it was you did that evening...being there without your band.... you shone like only a truly talented artist can. Paul Brandt "unplugged" will forever be my favourite performance because it was for the love of your fans, and they loved you back! Thank you for that gift!

Lastly, I am the lady who asked you if you missed nursing...I quit nursing in 1996 after 13 years at St Boniface Hospital. I now manage Heartland Transport Ltd, a small company owned by my husband and I, based in Fannystelle Manitoba. Your tribute to the industry is very much appreciated. Not many people understand the life of a transport driver, nor do they realize the sacrifices these drivers make each day so people have the conveniences of modern life. Thank you for "singing about trucks!"

To answer your question, yes I miss nursing too....especially the people.

A very special thanks to your family because each time you go to work , they give up some of their time with you so you can share your music with us! ( It is never just a job!)

Best Regards,
Jeannine Guyot