Today we’d like to introduce you to Braeden Counts.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up listening to all kinds of music.
My mom was always playing artists like Rascal Flatts, Reba, Garth Brooks, P!nk, Hoobastank, Three Doors Down, and Cher. My dad was more into Iron Maiden, Metallica, and Beastie Boys. Between the two of them, I got a little bit of everything growing up.
In 2015, I picked up a guitar and started teaching myself through YouTube videos. I was broke. I couldn’t afford lessons, and honestly, I was probably too stubborn to let someone teach me anyway. I was convinced I could figure it out myself.
About six months later, I posted my first video of an original song I’d been working on, and it was off to the races.
Over the last ten years, I’ve written more than 200 songs. Some are finished. Some aren’t. Some have been recorded by other artists, and some are buried somewhere in a voice memo graveyard. But the songs I’m most proud of are the ones that made an impact on somebody’s life.
I’ve been nominated four times for Songwriter of the Year by the Josie Music Awards. I haven’t won yet, but honestly, the nominations have been enough to remind me I’m headed in the right direction.
One of my favorite songs I’ve written is called “Don’t Feel Like a Living,” recorded by Houston Bernard. I wrote it on a lunch break after feeling completely defeated by the daily grind. Don’t get me wrong, a steady job is a blessing. But if you’re not careful, it’s also the easiest way to sleepwalk through life and wake up wondering where the years went.
At the end of the day, I’m grateful for where I am. Grateful for every opportunity, every lesson, every setback, and every win.
Most of all, I’m grateful I chose to chase the things that scared me.
Because that’s where I’ve felt the most alive.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
A lot of the struggles were self doubt. I am my own worst critic. People don’t scare me as much as I scare myself. I have had to work really hard on not being so hard on myself.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in songwriting. I would say I am known for writing songs that feel lived in, because they are. I’m most proud of the songs that impact other people.
One of my favorite songs I’ve ever written is a song called Wide Open. It’s unreleased as of now, but that song is my heart filleted open for the world to see.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
If we’re taking Nashville, I love everything about it even though I have never been. I need to change that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tr.ee/xTK4iMveg8
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/braedencountsmusic
- Facebook: https://tr.ee/xTK4iMveg8
