For five years, Brady Beal worked for Texas Student Media in advertising sales, client support services and providing data analytics to advertisers. He did the job part-time while simultaneously playing lead guitar for Universal MCA recording artist and country music artist Parker McCollum.
Since leaving Texas Student Media in 2020, Beal has paid the bills solely by working with McCollum. Coming off the “Burn It Down” tour, Beal sat down with The Daily Texan to discuss his experience and the recently announced 2025 tour, “What Kinda Man.”
The Daily Texan: How are you feeling coming off of the “Burn It Down” tour?
Brady Beal: It’s nice to get some downtime. I think that I only have four or five engagements between now and Jan. 25 when we get back on the road. So it’s just relaxing as much as you can, enjoying being bored because inevitably you go back out on the road. I’m already itching to play and it’s only been (two weeks).
DT: Do you have a favorite memory from the tour?
BB: We got to open for George Strait at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. Hook ‘em Horns, but that was cool. It was the largest ticketed concert in American history.
DT: Have you always been into country music?
BB: I wouldn’t even say that I’m the biggest country fan. I’ve always been on the rock side of things, the classics — The Allman Brothers and Led Zeppelin. After playing quite a bit of country music and listening to it, I’ve found a new appreciation for it and enjoy it more these days than I did.
DT: What was it like to switch to doing music full-time?
BB: It’s great to not have to worry about paying your bills. You can devote all of your time just to playing music. It’s been a blessing. I’ve been a musician in town since 2012 but I’ve always had a “day job.” I’m one of the few lucky ones (who) gets to have playing music as a day job now.
DT: What was it like to manage working at UT and with McCollum?
BB: I would come (to UT) Monday through Wednesday, and then we would get in the van (and) leave on Thursday, play Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. I’d have Sunday to recuperate and get my sleep schedule back in order, and then do it all over again.
DT: Can you tell me a bit about the upcoming tour?
BB: (McCollum) will be releasing an album sometime next year. So we’re going to start hitting the road promoting that … we’ll be all over, coast to coast. We’ll play most of next year, and then slow down for the holidays in 2025 … I’m excited to get some new songs on the setlist and see some places that we didn’t play last year.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this story mischaracterized Beal as a former faculty member. This has been corrected. The Texan regrets this error.
