Brett EldredgeEven though he's had two singles climb country radio charts, Brett Eldredge says it still amazes him when fans arrive at his shows knowing every word.
"That's cool to me. If I feel the passion from one person in the crowd singing along, that gives me a reason to keep writing," he says in a news release.
After Eldredge's current success with "Don't Ya," he should have plenty of reasons to keep writing.
Tonight, Oct. 17, the Country Music Association nominee for New Artist of the Year will sing along with fans at Track 29. The Railers will open the show at 8 p.m.
The Illinois native captured the attention of country music fans in 2010 with the release of "Raymond." That emotional song about a woman suffering from Alzheimer's was inspired by his own grandmother's story. It's just been in the last two months that he's had wildfire success with "Don't Ya," his first No. 1 single off the CD "Bring You Back." The singer co-wrote 11 of the 12 tracks on the album.
The launch of "Don't Ya" began Aug. 6 with a New York media blitz that included performances on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon," "Today" and "Live With Kelly and Michael." Those appearances coincided with People naming him one of its "Hot Guys 2013" and Glamour magazine featuring him in its Obsessed section on the Top 10 Things To Know About Music This Summer in its August issue.
"To go country: Try Brett Eldredge. If you need extra motivation, just look at him," Glamour advised.
The rising star has been learning from the best in his genre. He opened for Taylor Swift for 19 dates on her Red tour, he just wrapped up touring with Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley on the Locked and Reloaded Tour, and he'll open for Keith Urban and Little Big Town once he completes his own headlining tour Dec. 13.
The artist says from Swift he's realized the importance of connecting with fans, showing them his appreciation.
"I remember when I was a kid, Garth Books did a meet-and-greet that was a bajillion hours long. Taylor's done the same thing. I've tried to make it a point that after every show, I stay there until the last person goes by. I want to meet every person. I want to hang out with these people for 20, 30 or 40 years," says Eldredge of his fans.
So you've got your Sharpie ready tonight, don't ya?