Jefferson, Georgia native enters Top 5 on iTunes Country Albums Chart
 
NASHVILLE, TN (Wednesday, March 17, 2010) – Average Joes Entertainment is pleased to announce the release of Brantley Gilbert’s sophomore album, Halfway To Heaven.   Released on March 16, the album is currently Top 5 on iTunes Country Albums Chart.  The 12-track release features Gilbert as a co-writer on all the tracks along with writers Colt Ford, Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins, and Mike Dekle.  Ford also appears as a featured guest on “Dirt Road Anthem.” 

Upon hearing the response at retail, Gilbert enthusiastically responded, "I'm in shock.  Our band and everyone in our organization can be really proud of this album."  Gilbert refers to his fans as his friends because, "I consider a friend someone who supports you and cares about you. The 'fans' that come to our shows are supporting us, and if they are buying the record to get to know me, then they care.  Therefore, they are friends,"  Gilbert continues, "and I just hope my friends get to know me a little better with this album and know how appreciative I am of their support." 

Gilbert celebrated the release of his first album, A Modern Day Prodigal Son, in late 2009 after his inking with Average Joes Entertainment.  Son features crowd favorites “G.R.I.T.S.” and “Whenever We’re Alone.” Although Gilbert experienced mainstream attention with the debut, it wasn't until his cut, “The Best of Me,” was recorded by Jason Aldean for his iTunes and Walmart exclusive Wide Open album that Gilbert was nationally recognized as a songwriter. 
 
The latest release, Halfway To Heaven, is influenced by well-known rock bands REM and the B-52’s and resonates a true-to-life testimony of heartache, trials, triumph, and success, as it is very much a conceptual album.  Tracks 1-6 of Heaven depict Gilbert's life leading up to the night of his nearly fatal car accident, and tracks 7-12 are representative of life as he knows it today.

Halfway to Heaven is now available on iTunes! If you love what you hear, leave a review!

Click HERE to listen.

CMT.com's The Leak is giving the chance to stream Brantley's album before you buy it! http://www.cmt.com/music/new-music/
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By Jim Clark-The Courier

"Country has been kick started again with Brantley Gilbert." -- The Courier

Remember outlaw country? The days of Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and David Alan Coe. Then when Hank Williams Jr. hit the charts with a bullet they called it “new country.” Country has been kick started again with Brantley Gilbert. Brantley sings about heartache and trials but with a Skynyrd feel. It was a near-fatal car wreck that opened Brantley’s eyes. Prior to the wreck the Jefferson, Georgia native had about given up on making records, and had settled in to everyday life and playing bars once and awhile.

“I realized the importance of living each day to the fullest, and decided to pursue music as a career,” Brantley said. He started to get noticed as a songwriter when Jason Aldean picked up “The Best of Me.” But it was the wreck that began the career.

There’s a live oak tree you can see off ol’ 129

You can see the scar it’s missin’bark where it stopped my truck that night

They say I took a swing at my best friend for trying to take my keys

Next thing I knew I was upside down thinking this is it for me

This is powerful country with a rock ‘n’ roll edge. The lyrics are from “Halfway to Heaven” also the name of his second CD which released Tuesday. The CD is a testament of a young man who felt the fires of hell and seemed to pull back just in time. Good stuff.

Check out the latest blog on Brantley Gilbert HERE