Curtis Braly

Curtis Braly was born into a family that shared a mutual passion for music—no matter the genre, no matter the locale.  From the church pew, to the front porch and the backseat of the family SUV, Curtis embraces the hymns, rhythms and tunes that surrounded him.
 
Curtis spent his childhood in Texas.  It’s the small town’s character and Lone Star State pride that built Curtis Braly.
 
Texans are very passionate and we are prideful people; we’re big-hearted and sport a welcoming hospitality. I try to incorporate these characteristics into my everyday life, business practices and how I address my music career.  
 
As an eight-year-old, Curtis enjoyed the exhilaration of the spotlight; he won first place in a talent contest where he sang "Old Time Rock-n-Roll.”  Music became his first true love and the experience set young Curtis’ passion in motion toward a “Risky Business.”
 
During his sophomore year, Curtis started his own band and won a national talent contest; the prize was a trip to Nashville, Tennessee.  The visit to Music City solidified his directive.  Concentrating his energies and furthering his education to make his dream a reality, Curtis landed a job at The New 93Q Country Radio station in Houston where he became Sr. Promotions Manager. Working behind the scenes in country radio, Curtis learned first hand the importance of the relationship between artist and radio, and the diligence required to “make it” in the music business.
 
Three years later, Curtis took an entirely different direction—from the heart of country music to a street beat.  He segued to study Criminal Justice & Crime Scene Investigation and after graduation, he attended the police academy.
 
I started as a traffic cop in a squad car and I eventually became a detective in the Warrant Division. Studying criminal justice, and being a member of the force, taught me how to listen to, and communicate with, people. I also learned how to see through a line of “BS”—which is always a good skill to have in this profession.
 
Early in Curtis’ performing career, he opened for acts such as Daryl Singletary and Johnny Rodriguez.  Introducing his influences as Reba, Randy Travis, Kenny Rogers, Garth Brooks and Clay Walker, to name a few, Curtis draws from these performers’ abilities to capture an audience—to bring music to life as a must-hear storyteller.  He travels the stage in each high-energy performance to offer something different than the night before.  His 2016 summer show schedule included a number of performances on tour with Tanya Tucker.
 
I work to bring on the “BAM!” factor. You can be having a bad day, turn on the radio and your favorite song comes on, and “BAM!,” it’s a mood changer.  You can be struggling with a decision, hear a song and “BAM!”—mind made up!  That’s the power of music.
 
Curtis recently recorded his third CD, with Kent Wells producing.  The project, titled YOU MATTER, is both personal and loaded with “BAM!”.
 
I was not the “popular kid” in school; I was picked on and bullied as an elementary student all the way through high school. That was a difficult time in my life—mere words can leave lifetime scars.  But, it was an experience that made me stronger and I wouldn’t change it for anything.  It taught me how important it was to be kind.  My motivation to prove to my peers that I was somebody special was healing.  Similarly, my motivation to record music with meaning is healing. Today, I have the advantage to utilize the various platforms (stage, television, radio) to share music with meaning—to show love for individuals from all walks of life and to set an example as a role model. I take pride and joy in that responsibility.  
 
The 10-song CD features tracks (such as “Love You Down,” “Hate Me,” and “Simple’s Not Easy”) that touch on love, loneliness, fear, break-ups and beer.  A “labor of love,” the compilation is a reflection of personal and artistic evolution and was created with purposeful intent to inspire.  
 
YOU MATTER delivers and hits all the right notes to take Curtis Braly and his listeners to new heights.