SUNNY CAL JOURNAL - Brad Paisley Was A Skinny Kid With A Guitar

(01/20/2026)

By Bob Weaver Most of the "famous" people I have met in my lifetime have been by happenstance, certainly true of Moundsville native and country music star Bradly Paisley, not yet a country music star. Moving to Wheeling WV is the late 1980s, my family and friends developed a habit of going to the Wheeling Ampitheater on the banks of the great Ohio, an open air venue. Musicians of all ilks would come to play solo or with a band, and once a year the Wheeling Symphony would perform at the free venue. A skinny, quiet kid would come with his guitar and perform solo or with a group, just sit around and chat until it was his turn. I recall at least one time he performed with the symphony. I was unaware that he had become a regular as an opening act at the WWVA Jamboree, while in high school. Paisley has sold over 11 million albums and has won three Grammy Awards, 14 Academy of Country Music Awards, 14 Country Music Association Awards, and two American Music Awards. He has also earned country music's crowning achievement, becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry. I'll remember him as a county boy who liked to talk about the Great Ohio River. With good county boy raisin', we hope he withstands the foibles of fame.

Hur Herald ®from Sunny Cal The information on these pages, to the extent the law allows, remains the exclusive property of Bob Weaver and Dianne Weaver The Hur Herald. All information may be freely used but must not be sold or used in any type of commercial endeavor, or used on any web site without the express permission of the owners ©Bob and Dianne Weaver, The Hur Herald, 1999, 2000, 2001