Songwriter Brantley Gilbert credits fans for growing success

Rising country star Brantley Gilbert has been making a name for himself in Nashville, Tenn., this past year, but that's no surprise to his fans who have followed his grassroots career in an almost cult status. Once they are infected with his open, honest lyrics of life, and a heavy back beat, they become loyal to the core.

"This past year or so has been amazing," Gilbert said in a telephone conversation Monday. "We have done a lot of things and moved up, but we still have a lot of work to do."

Gilbert isn't resting on his accomplishments and taking a breather. He and his band have put together a new stage show, and begin 2012 as the support act on Eric Church's Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour. The Cape Girardeau show, at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Show Me Center, sold out this week.

"We've worked a few shows with [Church], and I know him, so I am expecting a good time, once we get settled in," Gilbert said.

Gilbert spent a good portion of summer 2011 on the Willie Nelson Country Throwdown Tour, and then headlined some dates of his own, selling out places such as The Pageant in St. Louis.

"Last year was really big for me," Gilbert said. "I am still really in a state of shock of how well things have been going. It's been a long time coming, but we are ready to keep this thing going and rockin'."

Gilbert took a brief amount of time off during the holidays, but quickly began preparing for the tour with Church.

"We have a new lighting tech and we've been in rehearsal to prepare for this tour," Gilbert said. "It's a whole new ballgame for us, because we are going into bigger venues, and we have to make sure the show is tight, and entertaining for our fans."

Gilbert said that rehearsals have went well, and he and the band are excited to get started.

"We will have a 45 minute set, so we have worked hard to fit in as much music as we can for our portion of the show," Gilbert said. "There's a lot that goes into a big tour like this, and we're ready."

With the addition of a new stage show and lighting director, Gilbert is proud of one thing in particular.

"I love our brand new backdrop for the stage," Gilbert said. "It's hand-brushed, not airbrushed, and it's awesome. It's things like that that we pay a lot of attention to detail on. Everything's gotta be right."

Gilbert said his fans are also a major part of his success.

"I'll tell ya buddy, these folks have followed me and they are supporting my new single, and it's because of them that I get to do what I want for a living," Gilbert said. "It's my job to go out there and give them the best. That's why we are paying so much detail to this show."

Gilbert said his have supported him as a songwriter, gaining notoriety from penning Jason Aldean's "My Kinda Party," and "Dirt Road Anthem," both which went to number one. "Anthem" was also nominated for the Country Music Association's Song of the Year in November.

After being exposed to his music, fans have flocked to his shows and enjoyed several of his originals, most notably "Kick It In The Sticks."

Gilbert's current single "You Don't Know Her Like I Do," is number 34 on the country charts and has a momentum to hit number one, as his previous single, "Country Must Be Country Wide."

"This new single, it's hot, brother," Gilbert said. "It's poppin' faster than 'Country Wide.' I think because it's a true to heart song. People can relate to it. We are real excited about it."

Gilbert said he is on the Blood, Sweat & Beers tour through May or June, and then it's on to another big tour. He's hoping to settle in quickly and start writing again.

"When I am alone on the bus, I can really concentrate on my writing and put things together how they need to be," he said. "Songwriting can be really easy or really tough, it just depends. You gotta be in the right frame of mind to make it click."

Gilbert said he's concentrating on his stage show for now.

"For now, it's about rolling out there to be with the fans and giving them the best show we know how. It's gonna be a balls to the wall, all out good time," he said.