How Calgary shaped Paul Brandt's evolution from a 7-year-old 'word nerd' to a country music singer

Mike Symington | CBC News | Posted: May 21, 2016 2:00 PM | Last Updated: February 20, 2017

Country music star takes us to Ranchman's, West Hillhurst Gospel Hall and the confluence of the Bow and Elbow

Image | Paul Brandt Ranchman's

Caption: Country music star Paul Brandt at Ranchman's in Calgary, one of three places in the city that hold particularly special meaning to him. (Mike Symington/CBC)

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Image | Calgary at a Crossroads

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This story was first published on May 21, 2016

"Doesn't matter where I go
This place will always be my home
Yeah I've been Alberta Bound for all my life
And I'll be Alberta Bound until I die"

— Alberta Bound, by Paul Brandt

He's one of Canada's best known country music artists, and has won enough awards to weigh down a packhorse.

Paul Brandt was born in Calgary and grew up in the city and in Airdrie. This is the place that shaped him.

As part of Calgary at a Crossroads, we've been asking some of our city's better known folks to tour us around the parts of our city that matter the most to them.

We hit the trails with Paul to see the most meaningful places for him.

From a church, to a bar, to the rivers: This is Paul Brandt's Calgary.

Ranchman's

This is where Paul feels the roots of his music and a sense of community.

It's the place where he honed his craft trying out in music competitions — and got his first big break.

Media Video | CBC News Calgary : Paul Brandt's Calgary: Ranchman's

Caption: We hit the trails with country music star Paul Brandt to see the most meaningful places in Calgary to him. Here we visit Ranchman's, where he got his first big break.

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West Hillhurst Gospel Hall

A place of faith and song, where Paul first heard a profound spiritual message and learned to love the words he would eventually turn into songs.

Media Video | CBC News Calgary : Paul Brandt's Calgary: West Hillhurst Gospel Hall

Caption: We hit the trails with country music star Paul Brandt to see the most meaningful places in Calgary to him. Here we visit the West Hillhurst Gospel Hall, where he first heard a profound spiritual message.

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Confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers

This is the heart and soul of Calgary, says Paul.

It's a place he comes to reflect on our pioneer spirit and how the 2013 flood brought out the best in the city, when we joined together as Albertans.

Media Video | CBC News Calgary : Paul Brandt's Calgary: Where the Bow and Elbow meet

Caption: We hit the trails with country music star Paul Brandt to see the most meaningful places in Calgary to him. Here we visit the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers, a place he comes to reflect on our pioneer spirit and how the 2013 flood brought out the best in the city.

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Calgary at a Crossroads is CBC Calgary's special focus on life in our city during the downturn. A look at Calgary's culture, identity and what it means to be Calgarian. Read more stories from the series at Calgary at a Crossroads.