Singing a new tune. ([e-mail]).

For a guy who makes a living in the limelight, Brad Johner is not your typical celebrity. In fact, he's probably just as much the guy-next-door as is any pharmacist, welder or civic employee, for example, with the exception you won't catch them plying their trade in front of an audience of millions on CMT.

But that guy-next-door persona 15 probably one of the biggest appeals to the former lead singer of the Johner Brothers. Perhaps the only thing eclipsing that appeal is the immense talent the product of Midale, SK has.

As part of The Johner Brothers, Brad enjoyed incredible success over the past dozen years or so, along with brother Ken, as the duo made its mark in the Canadian country music scene. Though the brothers were making music virtually all of their lives, which became more formal as youngsters with their dad's band, it was in the 1990s that the Johners truly flourished.

During that time frame four albums yielded more than two dozen singles to radio, many of which captured Top 20 status. This showing was easily the best of any brother act during the most prolific decade in the history of Canadian country music.

This success resulted in considerable attention at various awards ceremonies as well. Nationally, they garnered several Juno and CCMA nominations, while provincially, they earned three dozen SCMA awards. Winning awards with such frequency, the Johners were rightfully awarded a SGMA for Entertainers of the Decade. Among their national success at the podium was a CCMA for Duo of the Year and a CCMA for Independent Artist Duo of the Year.

Despite this success, in late 2001 Brad's brother Ken decided to leave the life of entertainment behind to pursue other business interests. Brad, whose love for singing and entertaining comes glaring through at any of his performances, didn't hesitate for a second when faced with the prospect of becoming a solo act.

"I like writing, making and playing music," Johner said from his new, spacious home in an upscale Saskatoon neighborhood, with his guitar at his side. "Music has always been a passion of mine -- that's all I've ever really wanted to do."

Indeed while growing up as a youngster the prospects of continuing the other family tradition, working on the 9,000-acre grain farm in the Midale district, wasn't as appealing to Brad as pursuing his musical aspirations. "I was never really was a farmer," he concedes.

This past year has admittedly been a difficult one for Brad -- but not for any sense of loneliness, feeling overwhelmed or any other negative connotation. Rather, since Ken's decision to retire in late 2001, Brad has not been able to do what he loves -- perform his music live.

"This past year there's been a lot of preparation in getting the CD together' he says of his first solo effort, Free, which was just released in February. "So we've been doing very little playing live."

"People couldn't book the Johner Brothers, because there are no more Johner Brothers," he explains. "And you couldn't book Brad Johner, because until this CD came out, there really wasn't a 'Brad Johner' to book."

"Being a solo act means that you almost have to prove yourself all over again," he adds. "And that's the challenge now.

"Even though I was the songwriter and lead singer of the Johner Brothers, the new CD doesn't sound like Johner Brothers stuff. It's very eclectic; the album changes gears from traditional country to straight-ahead rock. There s something for the older folks and stuff that the young people will like."

Another facet of Johner's down-home appeal is the approachability he embodies. His warm smile and sincere handshake will be putting in overtime this November, when he and 100 or so of his fans will be aboard a Holland America Caribbean cruise.

"Details are available on my Web site, www.bradjohner.com," the entrepreneurial entertainer adds with a smile.

Although he's looking forward to hitting the road, that will mean leaving behind wife Rhea, and boys Lucas, 7, Jesse, 6, Quinn, 4, and new baby Matthew. Johner knows that life on the road isn't conducive to raising a family. That's why he and Rhea are committed and content to raising their family at home, even though it means that Dad's away for extended periods of time.

"I've been doing this all my life; I do it because it's what I love to do," he says. "Some guys get into this industry because they want to be a star."

"I've seen people -- I know people -- who have had their lives ruined -- their marriage ruined, they've gone bankrupt -- all because they became a star."

"If you've got all these riches but you're unhappy because your life is a mess, what good has it done you?" he asks rhetorically.

"Being a star isn't what I'm striving for. You can make a real good living as a country recording artist, doing your tours and gigs, writing songs and still maintaining your personal life and values."

And in the case of Brad Johner, you can make a real good living by being just who you are -- which is not your typical celebrity, but rather just a good, ol' boy who happens to enjoy national acclaim.

CONTACT

Brad Johner

c/o O'Reilly International Entertainment Management

Phone: [phone]