Paisley shows his true colors

As much as he enjoys singing about the double lives of computer geeks (“Online”) and amorous country boys (“Ticks”), Brad Paisley says there’s too much going on in the world to be too lighthearted on his new album, “American Saturday Night.”

“I think this country has turned on a dime in a way that none of us foresaw coming a year ago,” says the father of sons age 2 years and 2 months. “I think all of that and the birth of a son and the bold new times we’re living in … it’s hard to ignore.”

Paisley visits serious themes more often than before, inspired by the election of President Barack Obama and the worldwide economic turmoil.

The first single, “Then” – his 10th straight to hit No. 1 – is a romantic letter to his wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley.

Paisley’s 2-year-old, Huck, makes his debut, singing the last word on “Anything Like Me,” a whimsical tune about a new father contemplating the inevitable payback that’s coming if his kid grows up to be like him.

The CD cover shows Paisley holding a brush in front of a painting of city buildings and distant hills. He sketched the design himself and painted it in about an hour in his barn.

“It was just this idea that meant as much to me as the songs do,” Paisley says.

There are few of the mini-stories and characters that set the tone for so many of his other successful songs.

“This is maybe more heartfelt this time,” says Paisley. “I didn’t even write any liner notes on this album, I didn’t write any description of it, I didn’t write any thank yous. I feel like it’s all in the record. You hear why I’m writing these songs.”

The birthday bunch

Bandleader Doc Severinsen is 82. Country singer Charlie Louvin is 82. Drummer Ringo Starr is 69. Actor Joe Spano is 63. Actress Shelley Duvall is 60. Actor Billy Campbell (“Once and Again”) is 50. Singer-songwriter Vonda Shepard (“Ally McBeal”) is 46. Actress Jorja Fox (“CSI”) is 41. Actor Troy Garity (“Barbershop”) is 36.