Who is Aaron Watson? That's exactly what I was wondering until I looked the guy up. Then I realized I had really been missing out on a great country singer who has been around for a dozen years, and someone who is pretty awesome. In case you don't know who he is, I'll share with you what I learned with you. First, he's a Christian and second, he's a phenomenal country music artist. There couldn't be a better mix, now could there!?!
Aaron Watson is a man who has been through a lot in his twelve-year career: eleven albums, the birth of four children, countless hours on the road and many more still spent toiling away at his guitar, writing songs with Jesus on one shoulder and the ghost of Waylon Jennings on the other, making the country tunes he was born to play. But a year ago, the music nearly stopped for this lone star legend from Amarillo, Texas. Watson and his wife lost their newest daughter, Julia Grace, just shortly after her birth. And this man, who lives and breathes his craft, fell silent.
"I thought the last thing I want to do is make music, to get up there and sing," Watson says, his Texas accent strong and smooth as molasses. "So I said, 'God, I don't think I can do this. If music is what you need me to do, then I need some help. Because I can't write a song to save my life.' And over the next month I wrote a record like it was no big deal - and I think it's my best one yet."
The resulting album was titled Real Good Time, and it was a testament to the power of music to lift us out from our lowest moments and bring joy and salvation though the wail of the fiddle, twang of a steel guitar or note of Watson's rich voice. He'd give all the credit to God, but it's also the result of a long career inspired by the greats of country music - George Strait, Chris Ledoux, Willie Nelson, Jennings. His music has formed into a unique sound that is at once both purely new, and representative of a grand, southern tradition. Because, as Watson points out, "country music, real country music, is cool. It's the coolest there is."
Watson's career has been, as he would put it, "slow and steady; a long distance race and not a sprint." Though he currently lives in Abilene, he was raised in Amarillo ("you can't get any more country than that," he laughs) on his father's record collection that not only included classic country, but also acts like the Beach Boys and the Beatles. While his mother would encourage him to sing, Watson preferred other boyish pursuits like baseball, which he played up until college where he was derailed by an injury. It was at Abilene Christian University where Watson picked up the guitar and realized his God-given talent for songwriting. "Eventually I started selling records out of my backpack," he says, and his crowds grew from there. It wasn't an overnight rise. "We did it the hard way," he says with pride. "We did it the old-school way."
Ask Watson what inspires him - and his music - and he'll list three things: family, fans and faith. He has an undying and steadfast dedication to all of these pillars, and every one influences the other. "They are what makes my music. When I'm writing songs, that's what on my mind. What else is there?" Real Good Time has songs about Watson's wife, his parents and grandparents, about his faith in Jesus. "It's reflective of who I am. And I think that is what makes an artist an artist."
The lyrics to the title track - which is also one of my favorite songs on the album, Underdog, are awesome. I've printed them below - I'm sure you'll agree, they reach right in and touch you. If you scroll down, I added the link for the YouTube official release of the song as well as the link to purchase the new CD, so don't miss out!
Don't you ever let this world push you around
Use your head and keep your feet firmly on the ground
And if you get knocked down
Get back up and try again
And don't you ever lose that sparkle in your eyes
Don't bottle up your passion like a jar of fireflies
If you ever lose sight of your light
And you feel like givin' in
Don't you forget your faith in God above
Don't you forget your mom and daddy's love
When you fear, when you fail, when you feel you're gonna fall
Follow your heart and always believe in the underdog
Don't buy a thing unless you can pay in cash
Go ahead and throw those credit cards in the trash
Love is a virtue, honesty is the key
Say your prayers, brush your teeth, don't you watch too much TV
If you're down in the count one strike away
Choke up and crowd the plate and put the ball in play
Keep your nose down when you win
Keep your head up when you lose
And you're gonna lose
And there will come a day
When I will fly away
So make me smile while we're apart
You gotta sing from you soul and play with all of your heart
There's a good chance your heart will break in two
Trust that God has someone special planned for you
Did you know I was down on love and luck
When he sent your mom to me?
Someday you'll have babies of your own
So cherish every moment, you're gonna blink and they'll be grown
The greatest honor that I've ever had
Is having you call me your dad
Boys don't forget your faith in God above
Don't you forget your mom and daddy's love
When you fear, when you fail, when you feel you're gonna fall
Follow your heart and always believe in the underdog
When you fear, when you fail, when you feel you're gonna fall
Follow your heart and always believe in the underdog
If you'd like to hear this particular song, or any other song on this CD, go to YouTube by clicking HERE. After you've heard it and you want to pick up The Underdog CD, click to pick it up on Aaron's website or head to any of the places listed below!
NOTE: I was provided with a copy of this CD in exchange for my honest review and promotion, however, my opinions are honest and are mine.Please make sure to visit my homepage and subscribe to my blog for more great posts on running, fitness and lifestyle topics as well as food, product, music and book reviews, and more!