When the three “J” Wodarek brothers were growing up in Brookline, they always stuck together.

So, when the brothers — John, Jim and Joe — formed a country-music band about 15 years ago, they casually called themselves The Stickers. And that name, well, stuck.

“We came in a package of three,” says bassist John Wodarek, 43. “And it stuck. We’re three brothers that always just stuck together.”

Pittsburghers may know The Stickers as a bar band that has played at small local venues, along with major community events such as in Market Square last week after the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, at the Heinz Field Rib Fest, and at Light Up Night. But the band — with Joe on lead vocals, Jim on the drums and John on bass guitar — has been gaining recognition beyond Western Pennsylvania and is on the cusp of a big break in the music business.

The Stickers’ song “Countrified,” with a chorus that opines, “If you’re gonna be mine, gotta get you countrified,” will be featured on the April 13 episode of the ABC series “Nashville.” This exposure comes after the song played at the Daytona 500 and the NHL All-Star Game.

Besides the local exposure radio stations such as Froggy and Y108 have given The Stickers, “Countrified” has earned airplay on stations across the country and the video has been playing in CMT. “Countrified” is from the band’s second album, “Country Proud.”

“The Stickers are a Pittsburgh band that has worked very hard to make music that is great live and on the radio,” says Jeremy Mulder, a disc jockey with the Froggy country stations. “They worked with top producers and songwriters in Nashville while also writing music of their own to create their own sound.

“Froggy has played songs off of each of The Stickers’ albums with great response from listeners,” Mulder says. “We’ve also seen listeners show up in droves to their shows.”

The Wodarek brothers grew up in Brookline, graduated from Seton-La Salle Catholic High School, are close in age and have children who are close in age. They have done music together informally since they were kids and grew up listening to all kinds of music. As they started writing songs many years ago, though, they gravitated toward country music.

In the past few years, The Stickers have raised their profile by getting a publicist and networking with industry officials and artists both in Nashville and here, such as Wexford musician Bob Corbin. When producers of “Nashville” contacted the band a few weeks ago about using “Countrified” on the episode, members were so excited, John Wodarek says.

“Every time we accomplish something, it’s like one more brick in the wall,” he says. “This one’s a great big one. If you’ve got a good song and good music, doors will open.”

The Stickers didn’t necessarily aspire to become a national act, but it’s exciting that it’s happening, Wodarek says. He and his brothers had open-ended hopes.

“We’ll take this wherever we can take it,” he says. “We know it’s an uphill battle in the music world, but … let’s take our best swing in this music thing.”

Wodarek thanks his family’s strong work ethic for the band’s success.

“You go in to do your best, regardless of the situation,” he says. “We always do the best we could do. We all have a passion for it.

“It’s pretty awesome to have your brothers there with you,” Wodarek says.

While much of The Stickers’ music, such as “Countrified,” “Girl in a Pickup Truck” and “She Don’t Like a Thing,” is upbeat and lively, the ballad “Calling on All Angels” has proved to be a tearjerker for the band members and fans. The song was inspired by the death of the brothers’ grandmother and father. Many bereaved people have told the band the song has brought them solace, Wodarek says.

“By just writing good music … hopefully, we can touch people and impact their lives with it,” he says.

“That’s pretty much any musician’s goal. … That’s when you know what you’re doing is the right thing,” Wodarek says. “That’s the biggest compliment you can give somebody.”

Details: thestickers.com

Kellie B. Gormly is a Tribune-Review contributing writer.

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