Brad Paisley Takes a Back ‘Seat’

Brad Paisley and his wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, have enjoyed more than seven years of wedded bliss. The country singer credits his happy home life in part to action they took before saying "I do" -- going to pre-marriage counseling.

"There were two different sets of people we saw beforehand, and that was really her idea," Brad tells ABC's 'Good Morning America' host Robin Roberts. "I would approach it the same way I studied in school, which would be, 'I'm ready. I can take this test. I'll be OK.' She wants to be prepared."

One test Brad has now passed, after a few trials, is what some might feel is a laughing matter, but what he has found to be a serious relationship rule. "One of [the issues] was that I needed to be more cognizant of putting the toilet seat back down," he admits. "That one was a little bit of a waste of money. Not according to her though. She says that was a major breakthrough. I remember in the meeting going, 'Well then I'll put it down ... but I just don't see how it's that big of a deal,' and [the lady] says, 'It's about respect!'"

Brad may not have initially understood the impact a toilet seat can have on a marriage, but that counseling session did spawn a song for the clever tunesmith. "I wrote a song about it that was a B side that was only available for a little while off the 'Time Well Wasted' album, called 'Put That Toilet Seat Down,'" the singer explains.

Looks like the pre-marital studies paid off ... both in and out of the recording studio. Brad and Kim are still madly in love and find plenty of time to laugh, even in the difficult times. "We both have very healthy senses of humor. Anything I take myself too seriously on, she will gladly cut me down to size on and destroy all pre-conceived notions that I'm cool in any way," Brad tells The Boot. "You've got to have similar outlooks and really healthy senses of humor. Pretension should be completely gone in a marriage. Actually, it should be gone before you get married! You should know somebody really well and know that they know how to take a joke and they know how to take you. That's the key -- a sense of humor."

Brad will take time off from his successful H20 World Tour -- renamed the H20 Frozen Over Tour for the fall leg -- to return to his role as co-host of the CMA Awards for the third time, alongside Carrie Underwood. Nominated for three trophies, including Entertainer of the Year, Brad will also grace the stage as a performer. The CMA Awards will air live from Nashville on Wednesday, November 10 on ABC.