Kane Brown is an anomaly. Overcoming a difficult childhood that included both abuse and homelessness, the Tennessee native has clearly risen above it. And enjoying a solidly successful musical career seems to be just the beginning. For starters, he’s the first artist of color to be nominated for the Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year award in more than 50 years (since Charlie Pride). The father of two has big plans. He has his own record label, publishing company, brand partnerships, a clothing line and a desire to continue acting. To name just a few. We chatted with Brown in between stops on his Drunk or Dreaming Tour to talk about all the things.
Q: Tell us about the experience of hosting the CMT Awards {last April} for the third time. Do you ever get used to being in front of a live TV audience?
A: Hosting the awards was an amazing experience and it was great to be back in front of live fans again after the past few years. I’ve definitely gotten more comfortable over the years with it and CMT has always made me feel very at home. I think the place I will always be the most comfortable is on stage, but I love the chance to connect with fans in a different way and see all the other artists perform and all bring something to the table.
Q: How did it come to be that your wife Katelyn sang with you on "Thank God"? Was it always the plan?
A: I’ve always known she was an amazing singer and we knew we would be open to something that was the right thing. There wasn't a rush or any pressure we put on ourselves to make it happen, but we definitely heard the fans always asking for it to happen too. We just wanted to make sure it was the right thing. And when I heard “Thank God” and came home and played it for her, it was undeniable.
Q: Are you surprised by the song's success?
A: I’m always grateful and never take it for granted, but when we heard the final version of the song- or even when we were in the studio recording it- there was no denying it was special and we hoped the fans would feel the same way. It's all newer to her but I kept telling her, 'This is a huge song.'
Q: You have so much going on – your label, your publishing company Verse2, making your acting debut on CBS’ "Fire Country," clothing line at Rue 21, Kane Crunch Cereal, in addition to a huge music career - how do you keep it all straight?
I think we all keep it to things that we are passionate about, and I have a great team that I get to work with that I know and trust, and we all have the same vision - but these are things I am passionate about. I created my label and then my publishing company and it's an amazing feeling to watch writers we’ve signed have successes and number one's - that’s a big part of it- wanting to help give more people more opportunities to break into it as well. The acting thing I would love to do more of, but I love being on stage and its been amazing to be out on the road again from Australia to back in the U.S. now. I just got back from Stagecoach {where Brown headlined} and we get to be a part of so many shows this year. I just always want to keep moving it forward toward the next thing, but trying to take it day by day.
Q: Then what do you do to relax and unwind?
Family time is always at the top of the list. My daughters surprise me every day with something they will say or do and being around them is what drives me and also makes me slow down and be totally in the moment at the same time. And I’ve started to golf a lot more!
Q: You're on tour through the summer. What's the hardest thing about being on the road?
A: It's been amazing to be out on the road again and the fans have shown up with so much energy in every city and every night. The week of the CMT awards was the same week we got to headline Bridgestone Arena and it was the first time headlining there and
the first time back playing Nashville in a long time. The crowd was amazing and it was great to have the family here in town, and at the end of the night, we got to go back home. I’m lucky that our bus and tour is set so that we can take the girls and Kate out on the road and keep us together a lot of the time, but when they aren’t out on the road with me, that is the hardest part about being away.
Q: What's next for you?
We have the rest of the Drunk or Dreaming Tour throughout the summer, including some we haven’t headlined like Fenway Stadium in Boston. I’ve been doing a lot of writing and working on songs for the next project. There’s a lot in the works - I just can't talk about most of it yet! In between it all, taking time to be home and enjoying time off together before we hit the road again, because this area is definitely home.
Q: What is the greatest thing about being a Dad?
Everything. But laughing with them and making them laugh.
KaneBrownMusic.com
Follow Kane on tour:
JUN 4, 2023 GULF COAST JAM PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL
JUN 10, 2023 FIDDLER'S GREEN AMPHITHEATRE DENVER, CO
JUN 11, 2023 ISLETA AMPHITHEATER ALBUQUERQUE, NM
JUN 15, 2023 THE COUNTRY FEST NORTH LAWRENCE, OH
JUN 16, 2023 TAILGATE N' TALLBOYS BLOOMINGTON, IL
JUN 17, 2023 SIMMONS BANK ARENA NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR
JUN 22, 2023 MAINE SAVINGS AMPHITHEATER BANGOR, ME
JUN 23, 2023 FENWAY PARK BOSTON, MA
JUN 24, 2023 JIFFY LUBE LIVE BRISTOW, VA
JUL 6, 2023 CAVENDISH BEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL CAVENDISH, PE
JUL 8, 2023 TD PAVILION AT THE MANN CENTER PHILADELPHIA, PA
JUL 9, 2023 CMAC CANANDAIGUA, NY
JUL 15, 2023 PENDLETON WHISKY MUSIC FESTIVAL PENDLETON, OR
AUG 3, 2023 SOARING EAGLE CASINO & RESORT MOUNT PLEASANT, MI
AUG 3, - AUG 5, 2023 WE FEST 2023 DETROIT LAKES, MN
AUG 18, 2023 LASSO MONTREAL, CANADA
AUG 19, 2023 FALLSVIEW CASINO RESORT NIAGARA FALLS, ON
AUG 31, 2023 LAKE TAHOE OUTDOOR ARENA AT HARVEY'S STATELINE, NV
SEP 1, 2023 LAKE TAHOE OUTDOOR ARENA AT HARVEY'S STATELINE, NV
SEP 3, 2023 WASHINGTON STATE FAIR PUYALLUP, WA
SEP 8, 2023. BOOTS IN THE PARK (WOODWARD PARK) FRESNO, CA