UPDATE October 21, 2017: Kane Brown has the number one country album in the nation this week. That’s not all. He’s also number one in Billboard’s country airplay chart, country streaming, and hot country song listings. PLUS: His album track “Heaven” (YouTube video is below) is number one on Billboard’s country digital songs sales chart.
If you’re keeping track, our local star is number one on FIVE Billboard charts this week. This has never been done. He now has three gold records, and one platinum record.
Today (October 21st) is his 24th birthday. Earlier this month, he surprised his mom at work with a great gift. It looks like Dex’s prediction (the headline of this story, originally posted in early 2016) is close to coming true.
Original story, posted March 19, 2016:
Have you heard of Kane Brown? If not, get ready. As I write this, he’s at the top of the iTunes music charts, ahead of Gwen Stefani and Kendrick Lamar, among other big names.
For the past year or so, he’s been under the traditional radar. He hasn’t been getting massive radio airplay, hasn’t been on TV much, and you haven’t seen a lot of print articles about him.
But online, wow. 82,000 Twitter followers, 1.8 million Facebook fans, and his videos have millions of views on YouTube. He is a Spotify superstar. This is how careers are launched in 2016. They build their fan base, and with each new release there are thousands of “likes” and “shares” within minutes. This is how a 22-year-old with a deep voice and remarkable range gets an RCA contract and a nationwide tour.
In the 1950s, Elvis and Jerry Lee did it by putting a lot of miles on their car, and playing their fair share of smoky bars. Kane is doing it with social media and a smartphone.
Here’s another sign that he’s about to make it big: not everybody loves him. In the Facebook-driven, keyboard comment era of 2016, you haven’t made it until anonymous people take shots at you. Already, his style of “bro-country” takes some critical lumps, not the least of which is, “Here we go again. This guy doesn’t play real country. Play some Waylon and Willie!” This is amusing to me, because I’ve been around long enough to remember when Waylon and Willie were being vilified by Buck Owens fans…because they were ruining country music.
Besides, nobody takes shots at you if you’re at the bottom of the barrel. Kane’s songs like “Used to Love You Sober” and “Don’t Go City On Me” are being viewed and heard by millions mainly on iTunes, but are crossing over to mainstream radio stations. This is how one goes from internet sensation to household word. It’s not unlike how Justin Bieber became a star, and when Kane compares himself to the Beebs, the country fans howl even louder.
But none of this matters, according to a guy who has seen a few stars emerge over the years, Hall of Fame radio guy Dex at Chattanooga’s US-101. Dex told me about Kane Brown last fall. “Dave,” he said, “Keep your eye out for this guy. He’s a local boy, and right now he’s just on the internet, but the labels are fighting over him. Whoever wins will hit the jackpot.”
A few weeks ago Dex told me, “I haven’t seen anything like this since Alabama exploded in 1980. It’s happening again. Kane will be biggest star to ever come out of this area.” It hasn’t gone unnoticed that many of Kane’s most vocal fans are young ladies. As Luke Bryan and Sam Hunt would tell you, that’s a good thing.
Dex has known the family for decades. Kane’s great-grandfather and grandfather still live in north Georgia, where Kane says he grew up poor “listening to Tim McGraw.” Raised by a single mom, he bounced around from Hixson, to Red Bank, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe, Ridgeland, and finally Soddy-Daisy High School, before attending Dalton State College.
RCA’s Jim Catino is carefully guiding Kane’s career, and he’s no rookie. He has discovered and produced some of the biggest stars in Nashville for more than 20 years, and his father Bill helped launch at guy named Garth Brooks. So our hometown boy isn’t making this journey alone.
Dex knows a hitmaker when he hears one, and says he couldn’t be happier that Kane Brown is headed for the national spotlight. “You can’t find a nicer kid,” Dex said. “He loves his fans, and they love him. He came from here, and he’s proud of it. He has to live in Nashville now, because that’s where the business is, but he told me Rossville and Fort Oglethorpe will always be home.”
Kane Brown is booked through the end of the year. It was fun to see Alabama hit it big back in the 80s, and now it’s time to enjoy another local act take the music world by storm. Enjoy the ride Kane, and when you need a break from the road, come back and enjoy some home cooking. Your family and friends are leading the cheers.
Oh wow. One more reason to love your blog. Glad to know about Kane and what I’ve been missing. That voice coming from that young man is quite a shock at first, but then within a minute it seems to fit him perfectly. This is exciting. And as far as Kane’s critics are concerned – who cares? Talent it talent whether or not it suits our tastes. That voice is one in a million and I’ll be following Kane from now on. Once again, thanks to some great information from David Carroll. This is the best blog ever.
I have been following Kane for a while now. I’m so very happy to see Kane and his band accomplished so much. Everything about this makes me so happy.#kanetrain#
For me listening to country music since I was little he’s the only main one I listen to hes my fan and always will be. Kane has brought joy to everybodys eyes plus more. I’m so proud of Kane and the person he is being. Thank u Kane for all ur doings and live listening to ur music and still will continue to. Only being 22 years old and already has accomplished alot in his life and still more to come. Can’t wait for his concert in april. Been waiting for that day since I heard about it.
Kane’s amazing that’s all there is to it!❤️Forever waiting for Kane to come to Oklahoma tho,but I’ll keep waiting until then keep up the good work Kane!??
U have amazing voice keep sing
and I’ll keep following u from ur
friend Beth
People say that he’s not country because of his looks but they have it all wrong!Kane is more than country.Hes great to his fans and people he’ll do whatever it takes to put a smile on someone’s face!Kane suprised me more and more each day!?He’s one amazing guy!?I sure hope to see him one day!and I hope the Kbsquad comes to Oklahoma!❤️but no matter what I’ll always be apart of the #kanetrain❤️& #Kbsquad? We all love you Kane!❤️
I have been following Kane for almost a year now on facebook. I kept wondering why you never heard him on the radio. Then about 2 weeks ago while driving with my granddaughter there his song “Used to love you Sober” played. I yelled, clapped and sang along. My granddaughter 22 year old and her 60 year old grandmother singing the same song. This young man is a great talent and deserves all the success he is receiving now. Oh and I am not a country music fan, prefer rock but he won me over. He has been in the # 1 slot on I Tunes everytime he brought a new song out, Finally someone in the country music industry took notice.
I got to see Kane in Dubuque Iowa. He was amazingly good! I started listening to him because of a friend posting one of his songs on fb. Now i will always be a fan! Can’t wait to see him again!
He is my stepgrandson. It is really amazing how is he doing. He has a great talent. He is very sweet, and he deserves the best. He loves his family, friends , and fans. We love u Kane. Big hug from your Pop and Milie
I am not a country music fan, but my sixteen year old daughter introduced me to this young man’s music and now I am hooked! I listen to his music every day! Can’t wait till he plays in Louisiana I will most definitely be there along with my daughters! You got this Kane!
Got to see Kane when he came to Champaign Illinois March 10th. It was one of the best concerts I’ve been too. I will be going to more!! His voice is pure raw talent! Sounds the same live as his videos.. Love me some Kane Brown!!!
Kane is just amazing! The way he treats his fans and interacts is awesome. was blessed to meet him in Bloomington. ? Made my night that much better? Took my 9 year old to one in Indy. She sings all his songs.
I am excited to see him again! #kanetrainforlife
I’ve loved this young man since I came across a shared video on FB several months ago. Not only can he sing but the songs he and his band mates write are awesome as well. I love how he keeps his fans happy by doing all his home videos. I just felt he was gonna go far and felt proud when I heard him on the radio the first time, like I knew him personally.( which I don’t) I hope he gets Best New Artist on the CMAs this year. Congrats Kane Brown.
I didn’t hear about Kane until about 2 months ago when one of my friends posted one of his songs on Facebook. I have been hooked ever since! He has an amazing God given talent and voice. I make it a point to tell all my friends about him now. I even got my 7 yr old and 4 year old nieces hooked on his music. They sing Used To Love You Sober word for word! I would love to see him come to Arkansas for a concert!
Kane, you have an awesome voice, great energy and a charismatic aura about you all of us woman, (even us older gals) love. #1 Glad to to see you making it to the top!!
This is such an amazing article. Kane is my son and I am super proud. Thank you for giving him recognition that keeps him going. Thank you for all the family friends fans and the most of all the man up stairs. Jesus Christ Our personal Savior.
Tabatha and nana and pops, yall did such an amazing job raising kane and instilled such great morals and values in him! I have been a fan for a while now and the way he treats his fans is amazing and hes been thru so much but yet keeps on striving and pushing forward. Hes an inspiration to everyone and i love being a part of the journey. By being a fan. I have watched many other stars go big and they always let it go to their heads but what he was taught growing up and what yall have instilled in kane is amazing cuz he is so humble and kind and i just adore that. That is what every american in thisworld should be like no hate no anger and he dont let people get to him… everytime i see him or here his music i get a smile on my face and i believe he should be entertainer of the year and every other award that is out there he deserves…. he is an amazing person and artist. And i just could go on and on but he deserves to be up top and i cant wait to see what his future holdz cuz hes going to go far. KANE KEEP DOING U BUD! NEVER LET THE WORLD GET U DOWN AND SHAKE THEM HATERS OFF! AND THANKS DAVID WHAT A GREAT ARTICLE. AND I DO BELIEVE HE IS GOING TO BE THE BEST OUT OF CHATTANOOGA! #CHATTSTRONG
I have been on the “Kane Train” since before it was called such. He and his band are fantastic song writers and musicians and I have purchased every song available and wait anxiously for the next. I am very happy to have watched this young man grab onto his dreams in one hand and his star with the other while never letting others opinions knock him off course or loose sight of his goals. Its been amazing to watch that star streaking steadily upwards and see their hard work paying off while still being true to who they are.
Hold on tight Kane, you and your band are heading to infinity and beyond. God bless.
I got to see him in concert March 19th in Milwaukee..the show was amazing and he is so sweet and humble.even got his autograph and a picture with him after the show.. Such a good time and I will definitely be seeing him again soon!!
Wow, I took a step back when I first heard the voice coming from this young man. He is fantastic and hopefully someone in the country music industry will help give him a hand up. Kane, keep singing, keep working at your craft, and don’t let anyone sidetrack you. Looking forward to hearing more from this great new voice.
Thank you David for such a good article. I am Kane’s nana. (His mom’s mother). He is such a sweet boy. I have seen how hard he has worked for this. I am so proud of him. Thank you to all his family an friends an his fans. He has great fans that support him. Thanks to all again.
I think Bessie Smith will probably be the “biggest star to ever come out of Chattanooga.” Actor Leslie Jordan would probably be second. No offense to Kane, but I don’t see him surpassing those two acts. Bessie was an amazing singer and is a historically significant artist. Leslie kept the nation in stitches with his work on “Will & Grace.” Let’s watch the hyperbole, David.
oh Maria Delgado think ya wrong on this one only time will tell but i put my bets on Kane his is more than just good looks and talent he has style and personality that a lot of people do not have, there is always someone better than someone else and it’s time that something amazing comes out of Chattanooga Tennessee other than the shooting headlines and crime. Give this young man his due as it’s time for it and he is taking it no matter what Keep up the hard work Kane will always be someone trying to knock ya down. But i know you want let that happen brush that junk off and keep going love ya. Seen Mom and Nanna commented was surprised didn’t see auntie Tiffany.
way to go Kane!!! and Happy Birthday! 🙂 so proud of everything you have accomplished! we are behind you all the way! hugs!!!
I loved this article. I met Kane Brown one evening in Ft. Oglethorpe, at O’Charlies. A little girl had noticed him and her mother had told her to go speak to him. She was to shy, so they started out the door. Kane’s friend that was with him told him something about the little girl and pointed her out. Kane got up and ran outside to where the little girl was. He had his picture made with that little girl. He won my heart and respect at that moment. As he came in, I asked for a picture with him and he said yes of course! He just made my day! He is such a sweet person. I wish only the best for him!