Hey stymye,
You're exactly right, hybrid picking is a must to learn Brad's style. Also chicken picking, rolls, string bending, sweeps would be a good start too.

This is why I mentioned the influences in my first post, and every one of those guys are hybrid pickers too. I have quite a bit on hybrid picking in my lessons, including exercises to get you started.

Here is a link to basic hybrid picking exercises
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=629

They also know the other techniques as well, and they are all versatile guitarist. I have chicken picking licks, and lots of double stop lessons, and also the basics on string bending.

Here is a link to the first tutorial on string bending
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=628

These are all on the B string, and then I did a couple with bends on the G string.

Another thing about Brad, these days he has bender on the G string. He used to have a B, and a G bender like the one Forrest Lee Jr. just built for me. I posted pics in this thread, check out this beatiful guitar.
http://www.guitartricks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32786


Here are the links to the B bender stuff

Introduction to a B bender
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=821

Using the B bender with chords
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=840

Also stuff on bending behind the nut which Brad also does sometimes. Let me know how it goes, and I'll help you guys any way I can.