Brent McAthey was born in Calgary, Alberta in 1967. His family owns a 1/4 section south of Water Valley, Alberta and although Brent went to school in Calgary, it was during those weekends and summers at The Ranch that he discovered his country music roots.
His parents claim that Brent was singing before he could talk and it soon seemed that singing and writing songs was all he ever really wanted to do. After graduation from High School, Brent spent some time working at a variety of jobs until he settled at Calgary Co-op where he became the first male cashier in the Calgary Co-op system. It was during this time that Brent would spend a few months each winter in Mexico, writing songs that would later become records.
Brent released his first single in Canada and Europe in 1989 and continued with six further singles that were ultimately featured with other Brent McAthey originals on two cassettes titled On The Highway and Brent McAthey. A chance meeting at the 1990 CCMA Awards would lead Brent into a longstanding and successful partnership with Manager, Tim Auvigne. Together they have developed as Artist and Manager while successfully moving ARIAL Records to the forefront of Canadian Independent Labels with Nominations in 1998 and 1999 for Record Company of the Year by the Alberta Recording Industry Association
In 1994, ARIAL Records released Brent McAthey’s first full length CD titled Waitin’ For the Sun. Brent McAthey and Lonnie Ratliff produced the album and each new single climbed higher on the charts than the previous release. The title track “Wait For The Sun” became Brent’s highest charting Canadian Single to that date and was supported by a video on CMT Canada. The video was filmed in Mazatlan, Mexico with Randall Prescott producing. “Wait For The Sun” was written by Brent as a tribute to his legendary friend and mentor, Dick Damron who was featured in the video. “Waitin’ For The Sun” garnered numerous industry Nominations for Brent and his support team including a nod from the CCMA to Brent and his Manager, TIm Auvigne for Album Graphics of the Year. A further Nomination would come for Tim and Brent the following year for their work on the Johner Brothers ‘ Ten More Miles’ CD.
As Brent McAthey’s profile continued to grow throughout the country and around the world, a new recording project was released. Believe In Me, a multimedia project featuring both audio and video as well as a direct link to brent’s web site.
The first single Chevy Blue Eyes was pre-released and became Brent’s first Top 20 Canadian Chart Hit earning him his first national nomination for an RPM Big Country Award for Most Outstanding New Canadian Male Artist. Brent was voted Alberta’s Male Recording Artist of the Year by the Alberta Recording Industry Association in 94/95 and 98/99 and was nominated again in 2000.
Brent was also Nominated in 2000 for Brest Country Artist, Best Producer, and ‘I Don’t Live Easily’ was nominated for Single, Song and Video of the Year. “Hard Rockabilly Cafe” was also nominated for best song. Brent’s Believe in Me Multimadia CD was nominated for Best Album and Best Album Graphics.
Brent McAthey continues to deliver a quality live performance whether solo or with his four seven piece back up band. Brent has appeared across Canada, into the United States, Europe, Mexico and the former Soviet Union.
For more than 3/4 of this life, Brent has been focused on spending his winters in the Mexican sun. He was just a boy when he first experienced Mexico – and has been nurturing his love of all things tropical ever since.
