Brady Toops

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Brady Toops
Birth nameBrady Allen Toops
Born (1981-07-31) July 31, 1981 (age 42)
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
OriginNew London
Genresfolk, soul, gospel[1]
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, entrepreneur
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, piano
Years active2007–present
Websitebradytoops.com

Brady Allen Toops (born July 31, 1981)[2] is an American musician, songwriter and a former baseball player.[3][4] His debut album, Brady Toops, was released in 2013.[1][5] His second album, Tried & True, was released in 2017.[6] He appeared on the eleventh season of ABC’s The Bachelorette.[7]

Early life[edit]

Toops was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 31 July 1981, to educators George Toops Jr. and Kim Toops.[8] He grew up in New London. He attended the New London-Spicer High School, and graduated in 2000. In 2000, Toops was among the twenty-five senior High School students who were awarded the Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year (SAMMY) award. He received a $7,500 college scholarship and was featured in USA Today.[9]

He studied Marketing at the University of Arkansas and graduated in 2004.[2][10]

Career[edit]

Baseball[edit]

Toops was recruited by Harvard, Minnesota, and Arkansas. He chose to play for the University of Arkansas.[2] He played four years as a catcher[8] with the Razorbacks,[11] and had been named a captain of the team in 2003,[12] until he was selected in the Major League Baseball draft of 2004 in the 10th round by the St. Louis Cardinals.[13][14] His stint in the minor leagues would only last three years, when he stopped playing after the 2006 season.[13]

Music[edit]

Toops' music career began in 2007.[1][15] His first release was with the single, Can't Stop Lovin', which was released independently, in 2010.[16] His next single, "A Little Love", came out in 2011, while the single, "Lord Have Mercy", was released the following year. The first extended play, A Little Love, was released by Underspoken Records, in 2012. His first studio album, Brady Toops, was released by Underspoken Records, on August 27, 2013.[17][18][19]

Podcast[edit]

He hosts The Unravel with Brady Toops podcast.[20] He also curates Soul Games a 12-week personal development program.[21]

Personal life[edit]

In 2015, he competed in Season 11 of The Bachelorette, with Britt Nilsson[7] and Kaitlyn Bristowe[22][23][24][25][26] Toops lives in Nashville, Tennessee.[15]

Discography[edit]

Studio albums
EPs
  • A Little Love (2012, Underspoken)
Singles
  • Can't Stop Lovin' (2010, Independent)

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Lange, Carolyn (August 22, 2013). "Hitting His Stride". The West Central Tribune. Willmar, Minnesota. pp. A1, A3. p. A3: The album represents Toop's mesh of traditional folk, rock 'n roll, and gospel music.
  2. ^ a b c University of Arkansas. "2002 Arkansas Baseball" (PDF). CSTV.com. p. 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  3. ^ "Brady Toops: Bachelorette Cast Britt Nilsson's Boyfriend". Daily Entertainment News. May 15, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  4. ^ Hutchinson, Andrew (June 11, 2021). "Toops had flashback watching Welch blast". Arkansas Rivals. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  5. ^ Burdett, Dan (August 21, 2013). "NLS grad and former professional athlete hits stride in Nashville music scene". DuluthNewsTribune. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Bannigan, Flo (March 29, 2017). "Brady Toops – 'Tried & True' (album review)". The Revue Canada. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  7. ^ a b Boardman, Madeline (July 22, 2015). "Brady Toops Explains "Real Reasons" for Split From Bachelorette Britt Nilsson". US Magazine. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  8. ^ a b L. Reed, Jerry (June 10, 2004). "Toops Toast Of Town". The Morning News. p. C, 6C. p. C: Also listening in Baum Stadium were Brady Toops' proud parents, George Jr. and Kim Toops, triplet sister and brother, Mickie and Casey, and baby sister, Wendy.
  9. ^ "Introducing the 2000 SAMMY Winners". USA Today. June 23, 2000. pp. 10–11.
  10. ^ Miller, Doug (March 4, 2008). "Toops puts down the bat for a guitar". MLB. Archived from the original on April 24, 2008. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  11. ^ Allen, Heather (January 2, 2005). "Diamond Hogs CWS appearance culminates surprising run". The Northwest Arkansas Times. pp. A11–A12. p. A11: Arkansas junior Brady Toops hits a two-out, grand-slam home run in the top of the ninth inning to win the first game with Wichita State and force a second game
  12. ^ "Toops named captain of Arkansas baseball". West Central Tribune. Willmar, Minnesota. January 16, 2003. p. B1.
  13. ^ a b Baseball Reference. "Brady Toops Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball Reference. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  14. ^ Batterson, Steve (October 19, 2008). "Faith In Music: Former Q-C catcher chases career as Christian rocker". Quad-City Times. Davenport, Iowa. pp. B1, B7. p. B1: A 10th-round draft pickt of St. Louis Cardinals in baseball's 2004 draft, Toops spent 2005 behind the plate as a catcher for the Swing of the Quad-Cities.
  15. ^ a b Walz, Sara (July 31, 2014). "Interview : Brady Toops". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  16. ^ Cross Rhythms. "Brady Toops Artist Profile". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  17. ^ a b Yelland, James (October 23, 2013). "Review: Brady Toops – Brady Toops". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  18. ^ a b Davis, Kevin (August 28, 2013). "A Deeper Experience". New Release Today. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  19. ^ a b Walz, Sara (August 25, 2013). "Review : Brady Toops – Brady Toops". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  20. ^ "The Unravel with Brady Toops Podcast". Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  21. ^ "Announcing Soul Games". August 19, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  22. ^ Nahas, Aili. "The Bachelorette's Britt Nilsson and Brady Toops: We Actually Split 2 Months Ago!". People.
  23. ^ Mohan, Keerthi (June 12, 2015). "'Bachelorette' 2015 Scandal: Britt Nilsson-Brady Toops Romance an Act?". International Business Times. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  24. ^ Lee, Esther (October 29, 2015). "Brady Toops Is Making a New Record After The Bachelorette: Does He Still Talk to Ex-Girlfriend Britt Nilsson?". US Magazine. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  25. ^ Seemayer, Zach (May 26, 2015). "Have Britt Nilsson & Brady Toops Found Love After Leaving 'The Bachelorette'? See the Cute PDA Pics!". Entertainment Tonight Online. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  26. ^ Walker, Alice (August 19, 2015). "Brady Should Totally Be The Next 'Bachelor'". Bustle. Retrieved November 17, 2021.

External links[edit]