Aaron Watson

Aaron Watson
Birth name James Aaron Watson
Born August 20, 1977
Amarillo, TX
Origin Abilene, Texas, USA
Genres Country
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter
Instruments Vocals, Guitar
Years active 2000-present
Labels BIG Label Records
Website http://www.aaronwatson.com

James Aaron Watson[1] is an American Texas country music singer (born August 20, 1977) from Amarillo, TX. Watson's earliest musical influences were the classic country records by George Jones, Merle Haggard, and Willie Nelson his parents listened to and the gospel hymns he sang with his family in church.[2] He writes songs with his best friend, Jason Carter.

He released his first album, Shutupanddance, in 2002 gaining Watson radio airplay and attention nationwide. Following the record's success, Aaron Watson released The Honky Tonk Kid, produced by Ray Benson and featured Willie Nelson on guest vocals.

Having collaborated with other notable musicians (including Dale Watson, Jack Ingram, and Bill Joe Shaver), Watson has performed hundreds of shows a year - touring nationally and internationally.

In February 2015, Aaron Watson made history when he released The Underdog (Aaron Watson album), making him the first solo male artist to debut at number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart with a self-released and independently distributed and promoted album.[3] The record sold more than 26,000 units in the first week.

By the end of 2014, the lead single from The Underdog "That Look," which Watson wrote for his wife Kimberly, debuted in the top 10 of the Billboard Country Digital Songs Chart and was one of the most successful-selling independent singles.

Musical career

Early Life and Musical Beginnings Watson was born in Amarillo, Texas and graduated from Randall High School in Amarillo, Texas following his graduation he attended Abilene Christian University, where he began learning guitar, after playing junior college baseball in New Mexico.[4] He gigged around Texas before releasing his debut album, A Texas Cafe; the follow-up, Shuttupanddance, was a regional sales success.[4] His 2004 album, The Honky Tonk Kid, was produced by Ray Benson and features an appearance from Willie Nelson. Watson's band is called the Orphans of the Brazos; they appear on his 2005 album, Live at the Texas Hall of Fame. In 2006, his San Angelo release hit No. 60 on the U.S. Billboard country charts and No. 50 on its Heatseekers chart.[5]

2007 - 2009

On March 20, 2007, Watson released his seventh studio album, a collection of gospel songs entitled Barbed Wire Halo which includes readings by Billy Joe Shaver. On April 1, 2008, Watson's 8th album, Angels & Outlaws, reached No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard Heatseekers chart, No. 28 on its Country Albums chart, and landed in the Billboard Top 200. The album's debut single, "Hearts Are Breaking Across Texas", reached the No. 1 spot on the Texas Music Chart. "Love Makin' Song" was released later that year, and "Rollercoaster Ride" followed in 2009.

September 15, 2009, Watson released Aaron Watson LIVE: Deep in the Heart of Texas, a dual disc CD/DVD set recorded live at the Hog Creek Ice House in Waco, TX on June 27, 2009.[6]

On July 7, 2009, Watson performed at the 81st Texas FFA Convention in Dallas, Texas.

2010 - 2011

Watson's 10th studio album The Road & The Rodeo was released in October 2010. His first record released under the independent record label, Big Label Records, the album peaked at No. 25 on the U.S. Billboard Country Albums and reached No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard Heatseeksers.

2012 - 2013

October 9, 2012, Aaron Watson released Real Good Time. Again, achieving national attention, the album was the best performing album for Watson to date, peaking at No. 9 on the U.S. Billboard Country Albums. It also was his first to break into the top twenty for independent albums. The album has sold 32,000 copies as of February 2015.[7]

2014 - 2015

In 2014, Aaron Watson released the lead single from his album The Underdog "That Look," which Watson wrote for his wife Kimberly. The single debuted in the top 10 of the Billboard Country Digital Songs Chart and went on to become one of the most successful-selling independent singles by the end of the year.

In February 2015, Aaron Watson made history when he released The Underdog (Aaron Watson album), making him the first solo male artist to debut at number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart with a self-released and independently distributed and promoted album.[3] The record sold more than 26,000 units in the first week.

Following the success of the record, Watson went on to perform 148 shows across the United States in 2015 alone.

Personal life

Watson and his wife Kimberly married in 2003. Together, they have two sons and two daughters: Jacob, born in 2006, Jack, born in 2007, Jolee Kate, born in 2009, and a daughter Julia Grace, who died in infancy in 2011.

Aaron Watson is a not only a family man, but a man of deep faith - prominently displayed with the crosses decorating the top of his guitar. He is a Ted Cruz for president supporter in the 2016 election.[8]

Discography

Albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
US Country
[9]
US
[10]
US Heat
[11]
US Indie
[12]
Aaron Watson
  • Release date: 1999
  • Label: Sonnet Records
A Texas Café
  • Release date: 2001
  • Label: Sonnet Records
Shutupanddance
  • Release date: July 23, 2002
  • Label: Sonnet Records
The Honky Tonk Kid
  • Release date: March 30, 2004
  • Label: Sonnet Records
Live at the Texas Hall of Fame
  • Release date: April 5, 2005
  • Label: Sonnet Records
San Angelo
  • Release date: April 4, 2006
  • Label: Sonnet Records
60 50 43
Barbed Wire Halo
  • Release date: March 20, 2007
  • Label: Sonnet Records
Angels & Outlaws
  • Release date: April 1, 2008
  • Label: Big Label Records
28 175 4 25
Deep in the Heart of Texas:
Aaron Watson Live
  • Release date: September 15, 2009
  • Label: Big Label Records
47 24
The Road & The Rodeo
  • Release date: October 12, 2010
  • Label: Big Label Records
25 150 4 28
Real Good Time
  • Release date: October 9, 2012
  • Label: Big Label Records
9 81 19
The Underdog
  • Release date: February 17, 2015
  • Label: Big Label Records
1 14 1
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles

Year Single Peak chart
positions
Album
US Country
[13]
US Country Airplay
[14]
2004 "If You're Not in Love" The Honky Tonk Kid
2006 "Heyday Tonight" San Angelo
2008 "Hearts Are Breaking Across Texas" Angels & Outlaws
"Love Makin' Song"
2009 "Rollercoaster Ride"
"The Road" The Road & The Rodeo
2010 "Walls"
2011 "Best for Last"
"Fast Cars Slow Kisses"
2012 "Leather & Lace" (with Elizabeth Cook) Hearts Across Texas
"Raise Your Bottle" Real Good Time
2013 "Lips"
"Summertime Girl"
"July in Cheyenne"
2014 "That Look" 41 47 The Underdog
2015 "Freight Train"
"Getaway Truck"
2016 "Bluebonnets (Julia's Song)"
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Music videos

Year Video Director
2003 "I Don't Want You to Go"
2012 "Raise Your Bottle" Zack Morris/Benjamin Ranzinger
2013 "Lips"[15] Paul De La Cerda
2014 "July in Cheyenne"[16] Timothy Allen/Benjamin Ranzinger

References

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