Brandon Lay

Brandon Lay was born in Jackson, Tennessee. He took up an interest in country music while in high school; while attending Union University, he started performing at local clubs. This led to him being signed as an opening act for artists such as Dierks Bentley, Eli Young Band, and Cole Swindell. He signed a songwriter publishing contract with Warner Chappell Music in 2013, which led to Swindell recording Lay's song "Home Game" on his album You Should Be Here.{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/brandon-lay-mn0003277788 | title=Brandon Lay biography | publisher=AllMusic | accessdate=June 9, 2025 | author=Mark Deming}} His father was a pastor. Lay said in an interview with American Songwriter that he recalled performing at a local bar called Barley's which was very close to his father's church, and he had the bar put up an abbreviation of his name on the marquee to avoid association.{{cite web | url=https://americansongwriter.com/brandon-lay-discusses-songwriting-a-different-look/ | title=A Different Look at Brandon Lay | publisher=American Songwriter | date=August 2, 2021 | accessdate=June 9, 2025 | author=Jessica Hrovat}}

In 2016, Lay signed with EMI Records Nashville, where he released his debut single "Speakers, Bleachers, and Preachers." The song was released simultaneously with a B-side titled "Let It". Taste of Country writer Billy Dukes described the former song as being inspired by Lay's life.{{cite web | url=https://tasteofcountry.com/toc-risers-brandon-lay-speakers/ | title=TOC riser Brandon Lay drops 'Speakers' on the people | publisher=Taste of Country | work=Billy Dukes | date=July 13, 2017 | accessdate=June 9, 2025}} Lay co-wrote the song with Luke Laird and Shane McAnally. The song charted for 16 weeks on Billboard{{'}}s two main country music charts, Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay.{{cite book|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|title=Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2017|publisher=Record Research, Inc|year=2017|page=203|isbn=978-0-89820-229-8}}

A second single, "Yada Yada Yada", followed in 2018. According to Lay, the title was "dummy lyrics" he sang into his phone when attempting to convey the melody he wanted the song to have, and the song's co-writers suggested it be left in as it fit the song's mood.{{cite web | url=https://theboot.com/brandon-lay-yadda-yadda-yadda-lyrics/ | title=Story behind the song: Brandon Lay, 'Yada Yada Yada' | publisher=The Boot | date=August 8, 2019 | accessdate=June 9, 2025 | author=Carena Liptak}} Following the latter song, Lay's chart appearances led to him being signed as an opening act for Kenny Chesney. This was followed in 2020 by the single "For My Money". He wrote this song with Andrew DeRoberts, who wrote "The Weekend" for Brantley Gilbert, and it was produced by Mikey Reaves. Tom Roland of Billboard compared the story line of "For My Money" to Chesney's "Out Last Night" and Ricky Van Shelton's "Crime of Passion". Although Lay thought the song would be "too quirky", EMI selected it as a single.{{cite web | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/country/brandon-lay-for-my-money-makin-tracks-8549441/ | title=Makin’ Tracks: Brandon Lay, EMI Bet Their ‘Money’ on Love and Lies | publisher=Billboard | date=January 28, 2020 | accessdate=June 9, 2025 | author=Tom Roland}} Two more singles, "Broke" and "Back Home", followed in 2021.{{cite web | url=https://entertainment-focus.com/2021/09/08/interview-brandon-lay-talks-new-single-broke-and-getting-back-out-on-the-road/ | title=Interview: Brandon Lay talks new single ‘broke’ and getting back out on the road | publisher=Entertainment Focus | date=September 8, 2021 | accessdate=June 9, 2025 | author=Pip Ellwood-Hughes}}{{cite web | url=https://americansongwriter.com/off-the-record-live-brandon-lay-on-speakers-bleachers-and-preachers-new-music-and-the-art-of-timeless-songwriting/ | title=Off The Record Live: Brandon Lay On “Speakers, Bleachers, and Preachers,” New Music and The Art Of Timeless Songwriting | publisher=American Songwriter | date=October 5, 2021 | accessdate=June 9, 2025 | author=Joe Vitagliano}}

;Singles

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Category:American country singer-songwriters

Category:American male singer-songwriters

Category:Country musicians from Tennessee

Category:EMI Records artists

Category:Living people

Category:People from Jackson, Tennessee