The smart-alec answer is…his third #1.

The real answer is…back to work after taking some time to celebrate.

This week, Brett Kissel scored his second #1 hit on the Billboard Canada Country National Airplay chart. “Drink About Me” reached the top spot just under five years since “Airwaves” became his first #1, nine singles ago. BTW, every chart single of Brett’s has been a Top 10 hit except for one. And seven of them have achieved gold status.

Amid the celebrations, Brett has been doing what he does best. He’s been balancing the right mix of work, play and family. In Toronto this week, Kissel has been on a whirlwind promo tour of radio and TV appearances that would wear out just about anyone else. And in a social post from his wife, Cecilia, he also took time to have dinner with his young family at a restaurant, entertain his kids (with his toddler son, Leo, who turns one-year-old this month, reaching out to strum his dad’s guitar in what is destined to be a family “home movie” highlight) and stop for a moment to appreciate the hard work that got him at this point in his career.

Already this month, his new album, “Now or Never,” was released and in a very short time has been gaining a lot of attention on both sides of the border. Brett and members of his band also returned to the Grand Ole Opry a few weeks ago to perform on the legendary radio show in Nashville at the historic Ryman Auditorium.

Brett’s second #1 also marks a few other achievements. It’s the first single by a Canadian artist to reach the top so far this year. It also moves Brett into second spot for the Canadian artist or act with the most #1’s on the Billboard chart, which began its weekly tally seven years ago this month. But Kissel isn’t alone. He’s at that plateau with four other homegrown artists: Gord Bamford, the James Barker Band, Dean Brody and Mackenzie Porter. Dallas Smith is way out ahead of the pack with eight chart-toppers.

Knowing Brett, he’s looking at those stats as a personal challenge. He’s also looking at the road ahead which includes more work, more concerts, more media, more promotion for the album and the next single due out soon, and more awards. And the Flat Lake phenom is probably also mindful of a personal plateau. He’s achieved an immense amount of success all before his 30th birthday…which is coming up four months from now.

[Randy Owen is a national award-winning radio broadcaster marking his 40th year since his first country radio show later this year]