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 Mankato 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
For the complete Free Press story, click on http://mankatofreepress.com/collegesports/x1951975447/Former-MSU-hockey-player-releases-first-album?mailingdate=201009090602
For more Free Press news go to http://mankatofreepress.com.
To hear samples of Chad Brownlee’s music, go to Shane Frederick’s blog at www.mankatofreepresshockey.blogspot.com or check out Brownlee’s website, www.chadbrownlee.com.
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