BRANDT HAS A BIG HEART

People who are blessed with a talent are fortunate. Those who possess more than one exceptional ability are extraordinary. Paul Brandt is such an individual. The Calgarian was inducted into the Canadian Country Hall of Music earlier this week, where he demonstrated his customary common sense and humility at the ceremony.

“There’s something about Calgary ... that connects with the music community,” Brandt remarked. “It’s not surprising to me that so many people have come from Alberta and made it on the world stage. There’s something about it in the air.”

Brandt, of course, has been a fixture of the Canadian country music scene for more than two decades. His early single, My Heart Has a History, appeared on the Top 10 of Billboard Hot Country Songs — making him the first Canadian male singer to enjoy such success since Hank Snow in 1974.

Brandt received his nursing accreditation from the University of Mount Royal — which was then a college — in 1992, which is evidence of his caring nature. He has nurtured his contact with the university ever since, even serving as storyteller in residence.

His accomplishments — and dedication to the school — resulted in Brandt receiving an honorary degree this spring, which adds to the accolades he was awarded from the University of Lethbridge in 2009, among other recognition.

“From early on in my career, the goal has been that the Paul Brandt legacy would not be about me,” he said during this week’s ceremony at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre and the Canadian Country Hall of Music.

“The focus has been on providing familyfriendly, world-class country music, entertaining and enlightening, providing an escape and engaging friends and fans alike and developing a platform to raise money and awareness for causes and projects that I believe the world needs.”

What an inspiring ambition. Brandt is not only a talented singer, but a human-rights activist who has most notably stood up against human trafficking in Calgary, which is an often unseen but prevalent scourge in the city.

He has also championed the investigation into missing and murdered Indigenous women.

Calgary is fortunate to have many individuals who can excel in their chosen fields, while making important contributions in other areas.

Paul Brandt is among them. He possesses tremendous songwriting abilities and a wonderful voice.

He also demonstrates care and awareness for his community, which is to be saluted.