For Braden, it's all about being a "Brother"

Friday, May 1, 2020 – Tyler Braden, a former firefighter with both the Montgomery, Ala. and Brentwood, Tenn. fire and rescue services, honors those ties with his take of "Brother."

The song was originally recorded by NEEDTOBREATHE.

"I was in the fire service for seven years before committing to music full-time," Braden said. "My brothers and sisters had my back from day one. They even supported me through the end of my career there by covering my shifts when they overlapped with touring. We started playing this song right before I resigned as a tribute - a small gesture that can never fully thank them for what they have done for me. The lyrics in 'Brother' describe the kind of person I strive to be, and I think they resonate more than ever during this difficult time."

The official music video,/A> for "Brother" (directed by Marisa Taylor) is an homage from Braden to those currently putting others before themselves. His plaintive vocal backs fan-submitted images of healthcare and public safety workers, a montage that concludes with a photograph of Braden's own fire and rescue unit.

Braden grew up in Slapout, Ala. With parents who fostered an early appreciation for country music, Braden started playing local shows in his early 20s and touring the southeast while serving as a first responder in Montgomery. A gig in Music City inspired a move north, and Braden continued firefighting in the suburbs of Nashville. His first date at the homegrown Whiskey Jam concert series in January 2017 started paving the way.