Life changing events can cause people to take a closer look at their lives and what they are doing. Brian Stace looked deep inside himself and decided to pursue a secret passion of his after a close call.

Brian was raised in the Madison , Wisconsin area and shortly after high school he decided to pursue the Californian dream. Once he arrived there, he became a self-made entrepreneur and was living the good life. It was a close call on a Southwest flight in Burbank , California that changed his life forever.

He held a secret deep inside and if you ask any of his closest friends, they will tell you they had no idea what his secret was. The secret he let no one in on was his love of country music-not only listening to it, but wanting to pursue a career singing the music that was close to his heart. He discovered he had a natural ability for singing and his voice comes across true and pure. His stage presence captures the audience and anyone he has played for has wanted him to come back for more.

On his own in a few short months, he cut his first CD, Country Music Ain't Noise Pollution , which received airplay all over the United States and as far as Europe . After the success of his first CD, he got a group of professionals together and cut his second CD, Blue Eyed Bad Boy. It was produced by Two Monkeys Productions in Nashville and they have worked with the likes of Dolly Parton and many more. He has appeared in major television markets across the United States and all over radio, both in the studio and on the air with his music.

He has opened for some of the hottest names in country: Shooter Jennings, Junior Brown, Daryl Worley and Terry Clark to name a few. He has performed at the House of Blues in Los Angeles and will be performing at one of Nashville , Tennessee 's hottest venues, Fuel, in February before coming back home to play The Dry Bean in Madison , Wisconsin .

He has been touring for the last year and the end of 2006 found him over in Iraq playing for our troops to help keep their spirits up while defending our freedom. One of the service people said:

I just wanted to thank you for your performance on our base (TQ-Iraq) although the weather wasn't the greatest you played on, and we all appreciated it. Your attitude was different than other performers that have come by here-you seem to really support us. It was an honor to hear you sing, and awesome getting your autograph. Good Luck In The States!

Magazines and radio stations have had the following to say about Brian:

Music Connection Magazine -"Stace's vocals are like a drink of raging Red Bull. "

John Shelton, Music Critic, Top 21 -"Brian Stace is the real deal"

Maverick Magazine says -"Listeners find out what real country music is all about "

He is getting set to release his new single to radio called "Honey Get Your Clothes Off, Daddy's Comin' Home". The song is dedicated to the service men and women who are helping defend our freedom and he filmed part of the music video in Iraq .

Brian took time away from his schedule and answered a few questions for me.

Why didn't you tell your friends about your desire to sing country music?

Growing up in a small town, to me it was about everyone following a similar route to their future and I always had very different ideas of what I wanted to do. Following interests in entertainment were usually not understood and without support, thus taking me some time to say, "Who cares what everyone else thinks? I am going to pursue my ideas of success and happiness. "

What are some of the challenges you have faced in the music business?

It doesn't matter how good your music is. You have to have great ideas to get yourself noticed, and also have the team of people and money behind you to get the music played on the radio and to get your name and face out to the public so they start to buy your records.

Who are your musical influences?

I spent some time with Garth Brooks at the top of his career and with all of the success in the world he was the most down to earth man I had ever met. Growing up listening to country in my Uncle Clarence's barn in the mornings and night while milking cows, it was Johnny Cash, Oak Ridge Boys, Conway Twitty, Statler Brothers, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Alan Jackson, George Jones, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, the Mandrell Sisters, Johnny Cash, and Sting Bean on the banjo.

You visited Iraq for three weeks last year. What did it mean to you to play for our troops?

I went to show my support for the troops and entertain. I have never felt so appreciated in my life. I have gained so much respect for our troops. Whether you support what our government is doing you have to support the men and women that join the military because they are the same ones that are keeping you safe in the USA .

Thank you for your time, Brian, and best of luck in your future endeavors!!