This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
CMA Entertainer of the Year Brad Paisley will publish his first major book titled DIARY OF A PLAYER with Howard Books ((an imprint of Simon and Schuster) on Nov. 1.
The new book is reportedly a salute to the guitar gods of country, blues, and rock & roll who have shaped his life.
The book is co-written with David Wild, a contributing editor to Rolling Stone and an Emmy-nominated television writer and producer.
From the press release:
Brad Paisley was given his first guitar as a gift from his grandfather when he was eight years old—a gift that would change the whole direction of his life. By twelve, Paisley had written his first song and at thirteen he began opening public performances for country giants including The Judds, Ricky Skaggs, and George Jones. Now in his thirties, Paisley is a critically acclaimed music megastar with eleven million albums sold to date. DIARY OF A PLAYER is the very personal story of how Paisley's musical heroes made a guitar man out of him. "It is a love letter to the guitar," said Howard Books vice president and publisher, Jonathan Merkh. "The book pays homage to an instrument that Paisley realized was his only real constant no matter how he changed and evolved." When life gets intense, Paisley said, "There are some people who drink, who seek counseling, eat, or watch TV, cry, sleep, and so on. I play." David Wild is the Emmy-nominated head writer for America: a Tribute to Heroes, an all-network telethon held in the wake of 9/11. He has written for the Grammy Awards since 1999, the Country Music Association Awards since 2002, and the Emmy Awards since 2005 in addition to multiple books including And The Grammy Goes To… and Friends 'Til the End.