Brad Jackson

As a singer, song writer, guitarist and bandleader Brad has spent a life time honing his talent and has worked hard to earn the respect and admiration of his peers and fans.

Born Sept. 13, 1960 in Chicago, Il. and raised in Joliet, Il. Brad grew up listening to country artist's of the day. His mother and father were huge country music fans. Merle Haggard, Ray Price, Sonny James and many more could be heard most any time at the Jackson Home.

At the age of six Brad began guitar lessons and shortly learned enough to accompany himself for his real passion, singing.

While in high school Brad was influenced by southern rock bands like Lynard Skynard and Molly Hachett. He also found himself singing and playing the songs he grew up listening to. Almost effortlessly knowing the words to songs like swinging doors and crazy arms.

After high school Brad worked in an auto body repair shop for a couple of years. In 1980 he took a job with Mobil Oil Corp. and still works there today. Working a 12 hour swing shift Brad met several musicians and formed his first band (Shades of Country). All members were also shift workers and shortly the band began playing local clubs and private parties.

Years passed, and one by one his fellow employees at the refinery dropped out and Brad replaced them with more experienced musicians. The band "Shades of Country" has endured many changes over the years. The band member list reads like a who's who of country musicians of the Chicago land area.

In May of 1981 Brad married his first wife Rose and had two children Curtis and Keith. Around 1985 Brad began writing songs and performing them with his band. He discovered that people made a connection with the songs he had penned. Playing out with his band and working swing shift at the refinery took its toll on their marriage and Brad and Rose divorced in 1987.

Toward the end of his marriage and the years that followed, Brad wrote many songs with a new focus. Brad worked the band as often as he could and gained respect as one of the top performers and band leaders in the Chicago land area. In a region were live entertainment has declined, Brad continues to work and draw respectable crowds anywhere he performs. Brad ran a jam session every Sunday night for local musicians for an unprecedented 5 year period between 1990 and 1996.

A second marriage in 1991 and another divorce in 1999 would inspire Brad to write many new songs. In 1998 with the help of friends and players Brad recorded and produced a CD of original songs. The CD was well received locally. Songs about life "On the Prowl" a traditional country shuffle that states, I will survive even after you! "Revolving Door" the upbeat tune that pokes fun at going and coming of a women in and out of his life. These songs and others seemed to touch people. they could relate and wanted more. With the positive response to his first CD and new songs like "Forever begins Today" and "Almost as if you Cared" Brad went back into the studio.

Recorded in Nashville Tenn. with producer Hoot Hester and some of Nashville's top session players Brad has recorded the CD "Forever Begins Today".

Forever Begins Today covers all the bases, swing, waltz, cha-cha, southern rock, and heart felt ballads. Life lived to the fullest, love lost and found. Sung with a sincerity rarely heard in today's country music. The voice, the music and the lyric's will surely make you laugh, cry and want to believe that Forever does Begin Today with Brad Jackson.