A warm welcome back; Country superstar Brown knows what to expect from Canadian fans, but what about the weather?


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Kane Brown‘s return to Canada has been a long time coming.

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The American country music star last performed north of the border in 2019 when he made a couple of stops in Ontario as part of the summer festival circuit. Brown was scheduled to return to Canada in 2020 for Country Thunder Saskatchewan, but the COVID pandemic had other ideas.

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Now, more than two years later, he’s ready to make up for lost time via the Drunk or Dreaming tour, which opened on Dec. 1 at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. It’ll be the first of 10 Canadian stops – including Dec. 17 at the Scotiabank Saddledome and Dec. 18 at Edmonton’s Rogers Place – before heading overseas in the new year.

Before packing his bags for the trip north, Brown spoke to Postmedia from his home in Nashville.

Q: How does it feel to finally be headed back to Canada?

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A: I didn’t even know it had been that long. Crazy. I’m so excited, especially (since) we got to add some hits to our catalogue since we’ve been there last. I know (the song) Like I Love Country Music did great on the radio for me up there. (The same with) One Mississippi. I’m excited to see the fans, first of all, and just to come back. I’m not excited about the cold, though (laughs). Every time we come, it’s always freezing.

Q: You and your wife (fellow singer Katelyn Jae) have two daughters: Kingsley, 3, and Kodi, 11 months. How tough is it to say goodbye to your family before heading out on tour?

A: My wife is coming for a week. My kids are going to stay here. I’ll be away from them for, I think, 21 days. But I’m coming back for four to break up the weeks. (Leaving them) is the toughest part of it.

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Q: How has being a dad changed your perspective about life on the road?

A: It definitely changes it because I don’t want to miss (anything). Kodi is already standing up and I don’t want to miss her walk for the first time. Stuff like that definitely lingers in my head but we gotta put food on the table.

Kane Brown performing for the 2022 MTV VMAs broadcast. Supplied
Kane Brown performing for the 2022 MTV VMAs broadcast. Supplied Photo by Monica Schipper /Getty Images for MTV/Paramount G

Q: After bursting onto the scene in 2015, you quickly became one of the hottest names in country music and haven’t looked back. Can you put this wild ride into words?

A: I would just say blessings. Never in a million years would I have thought this would be where my career (would have) gone. But I’m growing and I’m excited and I’m trying to catch up to it. (He later added): I started when I was 21 and I just turned 29. To think that much time has already passed is crazy to me.

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Q: In a relatively short time, you’ve compiled a long list of accomplishments, including multiple American Music Awards and a recent People’s Choice nomination (for country artist of 2022). Which accolades stand out the most?

A: I don’t really go off awards. I just appreciate where my fans have got me and I look at that as just going and putting on a show for the people who want to come see me.

Q: You turned 29 on Oct. 21. How did you celebrate your last birthday as a 20-something?

A: It was small. We just had a little party here in the house. My 30th is what is going to be the big one.

Q: What’s on your personal playlist these days?

A: I just released my album (Different Man), so for the longest (time) I was literally just playing songs off that to see if I loved them before I released them. Other than that, I’m either at the gym listening to super heavy rock music or, if I’m just in the car, country radio.

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Q: Who were your biggest musical influences growing up?

A: It’s weird because I went through all different genres growing up. I started with country and went to R&B and listened to a little bit of rock and then came back to the new age country. That’s when I felt like all the music was kind of mixed so I feel like I just got my inspiration from music in general.

Q: What did you think about being named one of Time’s most influential people in 2021?

A: I thought it was crazy. I still look at myself as a little Georgia boy. To be on that list, I don’t even have words for it. I don’t ever look at myself as somebody that people look up to. Just to know that I lift people’s spirits and the kids are looking up to me just means the world to me.

Q: What would that teenage Georgia boy think if he saw you now?

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A: I think he’d be super proud and super excited. I’ve always had the drive to do something. I wish people would have got to see me back in the day … to see how my head was on and just trying to work and make something for myself. When I actually started to get in the music scene, (I was) sleeping in my car outside the studio and then driving two hours back to my home to shower and then go back and sleep in my car again after a 12-hour day in the studio.

Q: You were part of a recent ad campaign for Call of Duty Modern Warfare II, joining Nicki Minaj, Pete Davidson and Lil Baby, among others. Based on your love of video games, did the fanboy come out?

A: I’m probably one of the biggest gamers you’ll meet. Whenever they ask me if I want to be in the Call of Duty commercial, it’s a no-brainer. I was actually just playing Warfare this morning and I’m going to play it when I get back from the gym.

Q: Any final words before crossing the 49th parallel?

A: I’ve been dying to get back to Canada and just show the fans how much I love them and appreciate them … I would say I’m definitely a different man from when I was in Canada last. I’m excited for everybody to see how much I’ve grown onstage.

(This interview has been edited for length and clarity.)

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