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If a True Hollywood Stories were to run an episode on the career of Nick Brownell, it would feature moments of determination and triumph of spirit, Color of Money-like duplicity, and the innocence and absurd charm of Superbad. How the feature-length film would end, however, is still in question, as this ambitious singer-songwriter has just begun the first act. A budding career that began as a mere lark for Brownell shifted quickly from a hobby, to local star status in his Sandusky hometown, to the very real promise of international acclaim. And while that last qualifier might seem like a leap at this early stage, it certainly seems much closer to reality when you visit the internet blogs and myspace pages that have dedicated themselves to news and gossip about the singer for over a year now. It's this grassroots word of mouth that has been buzzing of late with the impending debut of "Can You Duet†the 23 -year-old's second TV series|competition show. Produced by Fremantle in conjunction with CMT, the judges include Grammy Award Winning Naomi Judd, song writer Amy Mayo and acclaimed vocal coach Brett Manning. A one time staple to the dorm life of Ohio State students in Columbus, Brownell a self taught guitarist and vocalist entered into the entertainment business as the wanna be next music star when ABC aired “The One: the making of a music star†in the summer of 2006. In addition to the most recent judges Brownell has had the pleasure to work with famed song writer Kara Dioguardi, Label Executive Andre Harell and Producer Mark Hudson. The road from cover songs in Columbus college bars to working with - multiple Grammy nominated songwriters, producers and artist - has been shorter than you might imagine for Brownell. Just three years ago, he couldn't have imagined where he is today. "I started playing guitar kind of by accident," Brownell admits. While in high school school he was continually drawn to a beat-up guitar that was purchased for his younger brother and was sitting in the basement "I have a semi-musical family, my uncle is a singer song writer and was an influence on my early career, I also picked up guitar from cousins who would come for the holidays to visit, but up until the high school talent show I had never considered music as a career." He first picked up the guitar out of boredom, but playing quickly became more than ineffectual picking and strumming, and in little time Brownell had taught himself the chords to Led Zepplin tunes. He would jam with friends and pick up techniques and chords and apply them during his private sessions. A small town barber shop gig led to his first regular gig. “Ive never had a press kit, a manager or asked for a gig. I was always approached by general managers or promoters via word of mouth, or after they had seen me play at competing venues.†"Music has become my outlet" laughs Brownell. "I just want to play guitar and sing and I really don’t have a choice, this is my life calling. It was in third grade that I recall they just threw me up there. I'd never sung in my life." Still laughing, the ever-humble singer passes his own critique. "I was horrible of course, but after winning the high school talent show from that moment forward I knew I would be performing on stage for a long time to come."
