Brantley Gilbert is an American country rock singer and songwriter. He was born January 20, 1985 in Jefferson, Georgia. He began singing and song writing original music when he was thirteen. Brantley was a college student studying at Georgia College & State University and was aspiring to be a marriage and relationship counselor. He held a job as a special-needs counselor at Friendship Elementary in Gainesville, Georgia. When he was nineteen, he was in a near-fatal car accident while driving intoxicated. Critically injured, Gilbert's academic career came to a screeching halt, as most of his memories were erased by the trauma that he suffered. According to Gilbert, the accident spurred him to dedicate himself to his musical career and writing songs helped him recapture some memories he lost in the crash. He has released two albums, both on the Average Joe's Entertainment label. His first album "Modern Day Prodigal Son" was released after signing with Average Joe's Entertainment in mid-2009. His second album "Halfway to Heaven" was released on March, 16 2010. The album peaked at #2 on iTunes Country Album Charts and at #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers Album Chart for all genres. A deluxe edition of Halfway to Heaven was released on September 13, 2011. In February 2011, Brantley signed with Big Machine Label Group's imprint The Valory Music Co. and went on tour later that year, supporting Willie Nelson on his Country Throwdown Tour, which began in June. From June to September 2012, he was on tour as an opener for Toby Keith's "Live in Overdrive" tour. In July 2012, Brantley announced that his first headlining tour "Hell on Wheels" which kicked off on September 27th in Lafayette, IN and guests Uncle Kracker, Greg Bates and Brian Davis are appearing at select shows. Show less «