Brett Stair

You read the short version with the brief description but here's the "rest of the story" about Brett and the HOW he came to Nashville to write songs.

THE BEGINNING

Brett began writing songs as a sophomore at Conway High School in Conway, Arkansas. His English teacher, Mrs. Shepherd, caught him not paying attention and had him stay after class where she discovered the reason for his disinterest in her teaching was songwriting. She demanded to read what he'd wrote, then to hear what he'd wrote, and then encouraged him to go to Jack's Music to get a guitar so he could put music to what he was singing.

It wasn't long before Brett saved up enough to buy a Washburn D-10N and a Travis Tritt songbook (because it had the chord diagrams) and Brett was on his way to learning to play and sing the songs he wrote.

As he started college he was continuing to write and play his songs along with popular covers usually on a tailgate after a rodeo or at various open mics in Morgan, AR and then later in Rogers, AR. He even started a short lived band that didn't survive his relocation from Conway to Springdale, AR.

THE LONG PAUSE

It was in Springdale, AR the summer between his sophomore and junior year when Brett trusted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Unfortunately, Brett received some misguided advice from his college ministry intern. Brett was told he needed to give up country music, sell all his tapes and CDs, and leave that life behind. He sold all his tapes and CDs but he didn't give up his guitars, quit writing country, and would occasionally lead worship through college. 

Brett graduated and went to seminary at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he would get his master's degree and proceed to plant and pastor churches in Texas for the next 13 years. Songwriting would creep back into his life from time to time during this time period but it was mostly focused on trying to start churches from scratch.

THE REAWAKENING

Brett went through a divorce in 2011 and shortly thereafter started writing songs again. It was not only cathartic but also encouraging as he began playing open mics and getting good feedback both from friends and strangers. 

In 2013 Brett was transitioning out of car sales and into teaching/coaching when he met his wife, Shanda. Brett wrote a song and surprised her with it when he proposed. He continued to write and play open mics as his coaching and teaching schedule would allow.

It was at an open mic in 2018 hosted by Texas Music Network where Brett played "I Want My Country Back" out for the first time. A couple of months later Scott Brannan said he wanted to record the song and Brett had a decision to make.

THE REFOCUS

Brett made the tough decision to leave teaching and coaching to go back into sales so he could focus more on songwriting. "I Want My Country Back" released to Texas Radio in October of 2019 and charted in the Top 100.

Brett continued writing often mixing his originals into his cover gigs across North Texas. He began taking trips to Nashville in 2020. His first round in Nashville was at the Commodore Grill after which Shanda told him in the elevator, "Don't think I'm EVER moving here." Brett responded he wasn't trying nor was he ready. However he did pray, "God if you want me here. You're going to have to change her heart."

THE RELOCATION

Brett had a work event in Nashville during CMA Fest 2024 and as he and Shanda walked up Broadway she said, "You know, I'm open to moving here now." 

Brett spun around looked her in the eyes and said, "I'll pretend I didn't hear that but next time you say that we're gonna have to start praying and planning." She repeated herself almost immediately.

They began praying and God began opening doors to allow the move. Brett got another job before he'd even planned on looking, they sold their home in Fort Worth without even putting it on the market, and God guided Shanda to a wonderful campus in Williamson County to teach.

Follow Brett on socials, find him at the when and wheres, or book him for a house concert to hear how the story is continuing.