By Shane Frederick
Free Press Staff Writer
MANKATO —
Chad Brownlee was scheduled to lace up his skates and get back on the ice rink on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta.
The former Minnesota State men’s hockey captain will be playing in a celebrity game held in conjunction with the Canadian Country Music Association Awards’ week of festivities. The game was to feature ex-pro players as well as musicians.
So in which category does Brownlee consider himself a member?
“I’m confused,” he said with a laugh.
The folks at the CCMA aren’t confused though.
Brownlee, a one-time Vancouver Canucks prospect who played just one season of minor-league hockey after graduating from MSU in 2007, might be a ringer for his hockey team, but he’s definitely a musician.
Last week, he released his first album — the self-titled “Chad Brownlee” — and on Sunday night he will be up for the CCMA’s Rising Star award.
“This week has gone by quick,” he said in a phone interview while making the trek from his home in Vancouver, British Columbia, to Edmonton.
Besides playing in the hockey game, Brownlee is scheduled to perform two shows, including tonight’s CCMA New Artist Showcase, a prestigious event open to just eight selected rookie musicians.
“Things are definitely happening,” he said. “I have nothing to compare it to because I’m so green, and everything’s going at light speed.”
Indeed, his album debuted at No. 14 on the Canadian Country charts, and the record’s third release, “Hood of My Car,” reached No. 15 on the singles chart. It fell two spots this week, though, having been usurped by none other than Taylor Swift. Not bad company.
“I’m extremely excited,” Brownlee said. “It’s been really fun — the whole journey.”
Brownlee was a sixth-round draft pick in 2003 and played in 135 college games for the Mavericks. However, injuries hampered his NHL aspirations, and he retired from hockey after a season with the Idaho Steelheads, even as some of his former MSU teammates like David Backes, Ryan Carter and Jon Kalinski make it to the majors.
Although he graduated from Minnesota State with a degree in psychology, Brownlee had a second dream to chase, and that was music.
Show business is no easier to break into than pro sports, but Brownlee said his pursuit of the NHL might have helped him begin his music career.
“When you first start out, you know how many hours it takes to hone a craft,” he said. “I know what it takes to be a professional hockey player. You can’t just make a decision and have it happen. It takes time. You have to cut your teeth and put in hard work.”
Working with songwriters and musicians in Vancouver, Brownlee recorded his album in Vancouver for the Canadian independent label MDM Recordings. The 12-song release is available on iTunes and Amazon.
Before the album’s Aug. 31 release, Brownlee released the songs “The Best That I Can (Superhero)” and “Hope” and also performed four songs for a TV special on the Canadian version of Country Music Television (CMT).
“It’s been very rewarding,” he said. “We worked for close to a year on the album. And to get the feedback from fans, that’s the ultimate.”
After Sunday’s awards show, Brownlee said he will be busy promoting his album. He’ll be touring Canada, doing acoustic shows, opening for bigger acts — including Travis Tritt — and making radio appearances.
“When I was backstage before our CD release party, I said, ‘I feel like I’m getting ready for a hockey game,’” he said. “I felt like I was standing in the tunnel with my gear on ready to take the ice. ...
“I got nervous before every hockey game I played. But that was a good thing. That just means you’re ready.”
To hear samples of Chad Brownlee’s music, go to Shane Frederick’s blog at mankatofreepresshockey.blogspot.com or check out Brownlee’s website, www.chadbrownlee.com.
