A Jackson County man’s decision to combine his passions of singing country music, playing guitar and writing poetry has resulted in the release of his first album, “Notes to Self,” influenced by his life experiences.
Before moving to Medora, Brad Proffit grew up in Brownstown, where his parents frequently listened to country music. He began to take notice.
“My dad, the late Junior Proffit, always had the radio turned to country music when I was growing up,” Brad said. “Dad was a huge Merle Haggard fan. My mom, Linda Proffit, enjoyed country music, too, and she still does.”
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Brad said his first songs, “Bank Robbin’ Blues” and “I Won’t Live Like This,” both clearly show Haggard’s influence on his songwriting.
“I liked to listen to country music and would sing ‘All the Gold in California,’ and that was my favorite song and still is,” he said. “I was probably about 7 or 8 years old when I became a country music fan.”
Brad started writing poetry at 11, and when he was around 20, he started turning his poetry into songs, he said.
“I want to thank all of the country music fans in Jackson County, which I’m proud to call my home. I appreciate their support and thank them in advance for liking and sharing my music and for purchasing my album.”
—Brad Proffit
Some of the other country artists who have influenced him are Johnny Cash, Steve Earle, Alan Jackson, Hank Williams, Garth Brooks and Toby Keith, just to name a few, Brad said.
“I was around 22 years old when I moved to Nashville, Tennessee,” he said. “I performed at some well-known Broadway venues such as Tootsies, The Wheel and The Nashville Palace.”
Brad said while he lived in Nashville, he had a job, an apartment and made a few friends along the way.
“Living in Nashville was fun, and I met Sammy Kershaw’s daughter, and her name is Sammie,” he said. “I entered a few talent contests in Nashville but didn’t win.”
Brad said he and many others tried to make it in the music business, but he found himself back in Jackson County just a year after he had moved to Nashville.
“I was younger then and had expected success to happen real fast,” he said. “Things weren’t happening fast enough for me, so I moved back to Indiana.”
Things have a way of working out, though, because now at 40, Brad recently released his first album, featuring seven of his own songs, available in several formats.
“People can just listen to my music online for free by typing in my name and going to websites like YouTube, SoundCloud and others,” he said. “Also, they can purchase my songs and album from CDBaby, Amazon and iTunes.”
In years past, Brad has performed in Little Nashville and locally at O’Brien Street and Max’s Clubhouse in Seymour, both of which are no longer in business. He also has performed at Country Inn in Dudleytown and Perry Street Tavern in Medora.
“I haven’t played anywhere for a while because I’ve been focusing on my writing,” Brad said. “I might be open to performing again someday after some time to practice.”
Brad has written a gospel song and hopes to one day write an entire gospel album. He currently is working on some songs he started years ago, making a few changes here and there.
As far as inspiration for his songwriting goes, Brad says he’s inspired by his muse, plus a little life experience along with some imagination.
“I want to thank all of the country music fans in Jackson County, which I’m proud to call my home,” he said. “I appreciate their support and thank them in advance for liking and sharing my music and for purchasing my album.”
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“Notes to Self”
- Bank Robbin’ Blues
- Come Home Soon
- Love Song
- Loneliest Man I Ever Knew
- A Million I Love Yous
- Can’t Live Without You
- I Won’t Live Like This
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