THE EARLY YEARS
The first video below is 3 videos in 1. This is Brian's early years in Nashville, TN. back in the late 80's & early 90's. Brian was on the Nashville Now TV Show and the Porter Wagoner TV Show many times. Here are just 3 of those many performances. Brian says, "this time in my life was a very diverse time for me trying to do music and other things I was obligated to. I was wearing two hats and trying very hard to not let one effect the other. One day I'd have long hair, one day I'd have short hair, and yes, even highlights in my hair with a mullet on some days too as your about to see in the video's below."
The first video 1 of 3 Is from Nashville Now with guest host Faron Young. This day 8/10/88, Brian talks about behind the scenes, " I shared a dressing room with Faron the day of this show. Faron hated live TV, made him very nervous. In the dressing room, Faron and I went over all the questions and conversation we would have during his introduction of me. Faron also had a tendency to take a little nip before air time. When it came time for me to go on, Faron had forgotten all the questions he was going to ask while introducing me. So Faron made up questions off the top of his head and I just followed his lead. You might notice an outline of a flask in Faron's (your left) coat pocket. Once I started singing you might also notice I'm smiling a lot while looking off camera. The reason is, Faron was off camera motioning to me while I was singing that he was so sorry for forgetting the opening questions. After the show, Faron took me and the brunette back up singer you see behind me who I was a little sweet on at the time(LOL), out for drinks at the Nashville Palace and we had a good time and good laughs. Faron Young was a good man with a great heart."
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"Let me say something about the "record deal" statement that was mentioned by me in conjunction with Ed Bruce mentioned by Faron in the introduction. Ed Bruce who I love and admire, wrote some of the greatest songs ever recorded, "Mama's Don't Let Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys", "When I die Just Let Me Go To Texas" along with many other great hits recorded by many artist. I was a staff songwriter for Ed's publishing company, First Taste Music. Ed is a brilliant talent, a very good friend and was a very harsh mentor to me, but a good one. At the time of this show with Faron, Ed and I had just finished recording 3 songs at Tom T. Halls recording studio, The Toy Box in Brentwood, Tennessee. Most of the musicians on the Nashville Now show with Faron and I, were on those recording sessions. Ed was going to be shopping me to the different labels around town in the coming weeks with the hopes of getting a record deal. Ed's wife at that time, Patsy, who was also Ed's manager, filed for divorce shortly after this performance on Nashville Now. So, no record deal for me. It was a huge disappointment!! But I guess thats why they call it "SHOW BUSINESS"
2nd. video 2 of 3 Is Brian on the Porter Wagoner show. This show was filmed with no live audience . Brian talks about Porter Wagoner, "Porter was the king of TV and knew how to work a camera and a crowd. Porter taught me a lot. Porter even came to Las Vegas in 1994 to help open the show I was in, "Nashville USA" "Very glad to have known Porter Wagoner and loved fishing with him"
3rd video 3 of 3 Is also from Nashville Now with host Ralph Emory. Brian is performing with Brenda Lee. Brian worked with Brenda in stage show productions and also on the road. Brian says, "Brenda Lee was and is a class act with a beautiful soul. Brenda was so good to me and others. The shirt you see me wearing in this video, Brenda bought for me. At first I was like OMG! She said, "I want you to be seen" I responded, "Oh I'm gonna be seen" (LOL) Brenda is 4' 9" pure solid power with that voice of hers. She new everybody in the business and I got to meet people I only dreamed of meeting. We did a show with Jerry Reed in Branson MO. one time and when we walked off the bus, Jerry asked the band, "Where's Brenda? Then he saw Brenda behind us and said, "Oh Im sorry Brenda. You're so short, I didn't see you. But I'm damn sure gonna hear you tonight honey". I'm Very grateful to Brenda Lee for all she did for me.
Hope you enjoy this part of Brian's amazing journey along with 2 other videos from Brian's songs off his New CD, "Morning Light"

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"YOU CAN STAND A LITTLE RAIN"
Written By: Brian Whittington

"OH DEAR LORD HEAR MY PRAYER"
Written By: Brian Whittington
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