Brad Paisley’s sixth album, 2008’s Play, is a predominantly instrumental record. Eleven of its 16 tracks are music-only, showcasing the guitar chops that were overshadowed on his early records.

In an NPR interview recorded after the release of Mud On the Tires, Paisley lamented that he wasn’t known as a guitar player first and a country music singer second. The instrument is his first love and his playing is the aspect of his music in which he takes the most pride. To this day, his dream is to share a stage with Eric Clapton.

In that interview, Paisley announced his intention to one day record an instrumental album, and presumably the success of Mud On the Tires and its two smash follow-ups gave him the clout to do just that.

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