CREDIT: FSU STREET TEAM
Chad Brownlee had women swooning in Forwell Hall during a March 21 show.

Rising Canadian country music singer Chad Brownlee is out promoting his newest album, Love Me or Leave Me. The album is nominated for a JUNO Award for the best country music album of the year. Brownlee has performed at a number of London locations, including Fanshawe's very own Forwell Hall on March 21.

Brownlee, who hails from Kelowna, British Columbia, has enjoyed a fast climb to success over the past few years. His list of awards include a 2012 Canadian Country Music Award nod for Male Artist of the Year and 2011 CCMA Rising Star Winner.

The young Brownlee, who is only 28 years old, has created quite a lot of hysteria from his female fans, some of who were quite concerned over his marital status.

“Yes, I am married; the song ‘Crash' is about my wife,” he said with a smile. When asked what he would say to the disappointed female fans, he laughed and said, “They would all love my wife and could be great friends.”

After an energetic performance at Forwell Hall filled with original songs and covers, both of which had the crowd singing and dancing, Brownlee was on hand signing autographs and posing for pictures with fans. They weren't limited to just girls either; he also has quite a large male fan base, most of who were sporting the signature cowboy hat and plaid shirt look.

The former Vancouver Canucks draft pick also combines his love of hockey with his music, sporting gear from Gong Show, a hockey company who produces his Chad Brownlee hats among other fan paraphernalia. Despite suffering numerous injuries during his hockey career, Brownlee said he still plays. “I play with the Canucks alumni every week. We tour around B.C. and we play in different communities. I love the game more now than I did before when I was playing it; there's no politics involved, I just love it for the purity of what it is.”

Brownlee said his love of music is what helps him get past his former life as a hockey player.

He captained his NCAA team the Minnesota State Mankato Mavericks before being drafted by the Canucks. The former defenseman has a different style than most country stars. Sporting a V-neck and backwards baseball cap and biking boots, he wears what he wants sporting a country/sports crossover look.

SOME THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT BROWNLEE:
- He and his wife are thinking about getting another rescue dog.

- If he had to choose between Chevy, Ford or Dodge, he would choose Chevy, no questions asked.

- He has never tried sledge hockey before but he definitely would try it.

- When asked to choose between brunettes or blondes, he replied, “Whatever the hair colour, it doesn't make the girl.”

- His favourite drink is red wine, a good Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz will do.

- He is “looking forward to” his first Boots and Hearts concert appearance this summer.

- His favourite tour was hitting the road with Dierks Bentley.