As a songwriter, there’s no greater reward than that. And often those stories are about how my songs have helped get them through a tough time in their life. Every night after every show, I have fans stand in line for hours to take pictures with me, and to share their stories with me.
Aaron whatson full#
I wanted this to be an album that entertains people, and I also wanted it to be full of songs that have meaning. There are themes throughout this album - it’s almost cinematic - and some of these songs go together, back-to-back, almost like The Beatles’ Abbey Road, or like something off a Pink Floyd record, or Willie Nelson’s Red Headed Stranger album. I wrote the entire album all by myself, so if it’s terrible, I’m the only one to blame! There are 20 songs on this album for the 20 years that I’ve been making country music, and I just wanted to give my fans something really special. That journey has led me to where I am right here, right now. And over the years, it’s fun to see my writing and singing improve. I listen to the early records now and they’re pretty rough, but I have to remember that that was the best I could do at the time. It reminds me of where I’ve come from, and it gets me focused on my brand of music. Before I make a record, I go back and I listen to all my previous records because it helps me get my bearings. This is my 18th album I’ve been doing this for 20 years now. That being said, tell us about your new album, Red Bandana. You once said that you’re only as good as your next record. We chatted about how being an independent artist has changed over the past two decades, how he approaches the songwriting process, and his dream collaboration. We caught up with Aaron just after he’d returned home to Buffalo Gap, Texas, where he lives with his wife and three children. At the end of the day, he’s grateful to be able to do what he loves, and to share that passion with his many dedicated fans. He’s candid about the struggles independent artists face, particularly in the country industry, but he uses those struggles as motivation to work harder. With the release of his latest album Red Bandana (out on his own label, Big Label Records), Aaron reached the significant milestone of 20 years as an independent artist. Two years later, his song “Outta Style” became his first Top 10 Country hit, exposing him to an even wider audience. His 2015 release, The Underdog, debuted at Number One on the Top Country Albums chart, making him the first independent male artist to hit the top of the chart with a self-released and independently-promoted album. He started penning his own songs at a young age, and subsequently built a following by releasing his albums independently and tirelessly playing live shows. His father, a Vietnam War veteran, sought comfort in music, and Aaron grew up listening to his dad’s records, gaining an early appreciation for songcraft and strong melodies. Aaron Watson learned about the power of music at a young age.
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