By Abby Walton
Pop culture today is flooded with reality shows, showcasing young hopefuls trying to make it big in the music world. Most winners are flashes on the iTunes chart; giving the impression that “making it” is easy. Many musicians, like Zionsville resident Brett Wiscons, can tell you that’s not true. After years of paying his dues, the first single off his new album, 33, makes its debut today.
At 16-years-old, Wiscons said he knew music needed to be a part of his life.
“I dreamed about being on stage with a band and writing songs,” he said. His favorite band then and now is Hootie and the Blowfish.
“I liked how they were four normal guys who made really good music that people could connect to,” he said. Like a lot of teenagers who dream of being rock stars, he started a band. After graduating high school, Wiscons attended Marian College to earn a degree in business.
“Music was still my passion, but at the time I wasn’t sure I could make a career out of it,” he said.
One night in 2000, Wiscons would meet someone who would change his life forever. After seeing a Hootie and the Blowfish concert, Wiscons and his friends waited for the band in the parking lot. As the band headed for their bus, Wiscons started talking with lead guitarist Mark Bryan.
“He was so approachable, He gave me his information and told me to stay in touch,” he said. Over the next few years Bryan became a mentor to Wiscons.
“About a year ago, I tried out for the show The Voice and didn’t make it. I was down on myself and my sister encouraged me to reach out to Mark about making a record. I didn’t think this Grammy Award winner would want to work with me, but when I asked him, he said yes,” Wiscons said.
After collaborating on other albums, Wiscons was ready to create a solo album. He used the community fundraising website, Kickstarter, to help fund the project. Within 33 days, Wiscons raised $11,000.
“With that money, I traveled to South Carolina several times this past year to write and record with Mark,” he said. Today, Wiscons’ is releasing the first single, Sophia’s Winery. It can be found at www.brettwiscons.com.
“I’m just so proud of how everything sounds,” he said.
While the entire album won’t be available until 2014, you can still hear Wiscons and his new music at local venues like The Cobblestone Grill.
“Stay tuned,” he said. “I have so much more to go and do and be.”