Paisley hopeful of increased success

NASHVILLE, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- U.S. country star Brad Paisley said despite his accomplishments this year, he is hopeful he will reach new heights of success next year.

The "Who Needs Pictures" singer said while he earned numerous awards in 2008, including a Country Music Association male vocalist award, he has big plans going into 2009, The (Nashville) Tennessean reported Sunday.

"I checked major things off this bucket list, even though I'm a little young to have a bucket list," the 36-year-old said. "But 2008 feels like the kind of year where, I'm either going to look back and go, 'Yeah, that was it for (my career).' Or it was a launching point to sort of have even more fuel as I go in to make this next record."

While the country singer released the album "Play" in November, he told The Tennessean he is already hard at work creating another album, which should hit U.S. stores next summer.

"That's going to be fun because I really always get encouraged," he said. "I'm someone who loves looking ahead, and I love that looking ahead becomes easier due to the fact we've had a good run of it."