Brad Paisley Releases Debut Album ‘Who Needs Pictures’ 15 Years Ago

We are just a couple of weeks away from the 2014 Taste of Country Music Festival at Hunter Mountain. Brad Paisley will be headlining the Saturday, June 14th show. It was 15 years ago this week that Brad burst onto the national scene and he hasn't slowed down.

15 years ago yesterday (6/1/99) his debut album "Who Needs Pictures" was released. His first single was the title track and it peaked in the top 15. It was his 2nd release that changed everything for Brad...."He Didn't Have To Be."

It would go on to be his first Number 1 hit. Brad said that is was the most life-changing 3 minutes that he ever wrote. He said, "I was really lucky, it wasn’t like we knew what we were doing. I just happened to write that with my best friend from the bottom of my heart about his situation.”

The song helped Paisley earn the CMA Horizon Award and the ACM Top New Male Award in 2000. He's won more than 45 major awards, including three Grammys and the CMA Award in 2010 for Entertainer of the Year.

He hasn't slowed down either. Over the weekend he took a jab at the Westboro Baptist Church when they protested him. He stopped by and took a selfie.

To get tickets or camping packages for the Taste of Country Music Festival, June 13th-15th, go here.