A Portrait of Brandon Heath

In the January 18, 2010, edition of People magazine, Carrie Underwood was asked what was in her iPod. Her answer: "I'm in love with Brandon Heath's voice."

For the large segment of the population who whispered "Who's Brandon Heath?" - here's an introduction to the man and his music.

Heath's Accomplishments

While Brandon Heath released a couple of independent albums in 2004, his professional journey really got heated up in 2006 with his first major studio album, Don't Get Comfortable. The record produced the radio single "I'm Not Who I Was." Immediately a favorite of Tampa Bay radio personality Carmen Brown, Florida's Joy FM Christian music stations put the single in exhaustive radio rotation. The Joy FM also sponsored one of Heath's early tours.

That first album also spawned "Our God Reigns", which remains a favorite worship song in churches nationwide. The song's success earned it a Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Award nomination for worship song of the year in 2007.

Heath's What If We, avoiding any hint of a sophomore slump, was as equally well received as his debut release. The album is infused with light-hearted pop hooks and folk/rock melodies that lift the often weighty lyrics Heath culls from universal feelings of loneliness and insecurity.

This second album also released Heath's most popular tune to date, "Give Me Your Eyes." Heath explained how he came up with the idea for the song when we met to talk at Walt Disney World during his Night of Joy appearance in 2008.

Heath found himself spending large amounts of time on airplanes as he traversed the country promoting Don't Get Comfortable. On a four-hour flight from Seattle, Washington, back to his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, Heath found himself in an awkward situation.

"I was literally touching the elbow of the person sitting next to me," says Heath. "But we never spoke. I began to wonder about what I was doing, or not doing. Should I strike up a conversation? Start asking questions? I mean, shouldn't we at least acknowledge one another?"

His observation led to penning Give Me Your Eyes with friend Jason Ingram. It's an appeal to God to give him a divine point of view.

"I want to see people the way God sees people. He sees the deeper need, the deeper story. I'm fascinated with people stories. I think we are surrounded by people who have stories to tell, but we don't know those stories because we don't know the people. And, we won't ever know if we don't interact with each other."

Heath's Accolades

The two-time Grammy Award nominee and winner of the GMA's 2008 Dove Award for New Artist of the Year is now a recognizable fixture on the Christian music scene. "Give Me Your Eyes" garnered the singer/songwriter a Grammy nod for inspirational single. It also netted him a GMA Dove Award for song of the year and the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Hot Christian AC radio chart for 14 consecutive weeks. In 2009, he also received his first American Music Award nomination.

Heath's Accomplices

While extremely talented in his own right, Heath has been clever enough to collaborate with some of the best in the music industry, starting with his producer Dan Muckala (Backstreet Boys, Nick Lachey). Heath detailed their first encounter to me when we sat down for a few moments together during the International Christian Retail Show in Orlando in 2008.

Heath drew Muckala's attention after the young artist started performing with a men's group at the Nashville area church they both attend.

"We were meeting at (Dan's) house, and he said, 'If you ever want to record, let me know.', recalls Heath. "I was curious, so I checked up on who he was working with. When LeAnn Rimes' name popped up, I figured he must be legit."

Heath collaborates with some other heavy hitters. In addition to Ingram, he has co-written songs with Christy Nockels (Watermark, Passion), Bebo Norman, and Jars of Clay.

He has opened for such artists as Third Day and tobyMac. He also participated in 2008's Art, Music, Justice Tour, featuring Sarah MacCrackin and Charlie Peacock. The tour raised money and awareness for the fight against human trafficking, a plight Heath witnessed first-hand on a trip to India.

"They showed us the brothels," he said as he detailed the trip during our time together at Disney. "You can hear about it, but there's just something that makes it urgent when you see it with your own eyes."

Heath's Attraction

No profile of Heath would be complete without at least a mention of his charmingly boyish good looks. As he arrives on stage, his brown hair slightly tousled and those piercing blue eyes gazing across the crowd, the girls swoon and the guys seem to squirm. But, as he begins his set, his undeniable vocal warmth and heartfelt lyrics bring the room together. You feel like you're in your living room, listening to an old friend share his heart with you.

The son of a hairdresser and a police officer, Brandon's unassuming good-natured personality makes him fun to be around as well as a delight as an entertainer.

Heath's Attitude

When you really get to the core of why Heath is able to win friends and influence people, it's his attitude. Humble, honest, and yet passionate, Heath believes in what he's selling.

"So many people are only looking at themselves, at their own issues. What we need to understand is that we're all kind of in the same boat. I certainly don't have it all together, and I don't want to pretend that I do. I don't think that would be a very accurate picture of a Christian's life. What I do have is a God that forgives. I just want to tell people that they are loved by God. My life's been an unbelievable journey, and it's all been because of God."

Background information from: www.grammy.com; www.billboard.com; and album credits.

Unattributed detailed information garnered from personal attendance at the Gospel Music Association Dove Awards (2007, 2008, 2009) and at Brandon Heath concerts, as well as personal interviews with Brandon Heath during Gospel Music Week and the Christian Music Broadcasters' Convention in 2009.