By Chelsea Schmid
Staff Writer who is Special to LIVE!
April 7, 2008
Podcast
Chelsea Schmid Interviews Aaron Watson at Hastings- Chcelsea Schmid talks to Watson at Hastings during his CD release party for "Angels and Outlaws."
- Interviewer: Chelsea Schmid
- Year: 2008
- Length: 19:28 minutes (9.13 MB)
- Format: mp3 stereo 64 Kbps 44.1 kHz (cbr)
They live just right up the road in Abilene, and some might call us neighbors. It would seem only fitting, then, that Watson and his band have written not just a song, but an entire album titled “San Angelo.” And with close to 200 people crowded in the CD and bookstore to celebrate the release of his latest album, “Angels And Outlaws,” it’s safe to say that the traveling family man and his band have established something special with this town.
San Angelo was one of the dots on the map where Watson got his start. He recalls the days where he’d drop off a case of CDs at the record store and says it’s crazy to see how his albums sell now. Tuesday night Watson sold about 200. Before he’d drop off the box and about six months later Hastings would relay that they’d sold three.
It’s been a long road coming, but it certainly hasn’t been a conventional one. There’s a certain stigma that surrounds a tour bus—life on the road is equated to late nights, booze, drugs, and sex—and even the most clean of bands have been known to party from time to time. But Aaron Watson runs his show like a stern businessman.
“I bet 80 percent of our crowd is girls,” Watson says. “And I think the girls appreciate the fact that they can come to one of our shows and act silly and not worry about us being raunchy. I don’t let the boys drink because I expect them to play good every night . . . it’s something that you can be proud of. For me personally, I need to know that at the end of my road, I did it the right way . . . We’ve turned down beer sponsorships and will continue to do so, because we’re different. You’ve got to make your momma and Jesus happy.”
With his music shining a perpetual positive light, it’s safe to say that Watson’s music is touching people in the way in which he intends. It defies the norm of Texas country lyricism in that there’s substance behind the words—and that substance isn’t Dickel or Pabst Blue Ribbon.
| |
Tuesday evening Aaron Watson, accompanied by Eric Andrews and Damian Green on fiddles and Jason Lerma on guitar, played through an acoustic set of about six songs—some old and some new. Among these, of course, were “San Angelo,” “Let’s Go Honky Tonkin’,” and the first single off this year’s “Angels and Outlaws” album, “Hearts Are Breaking Across Texas.”
The disc was released on April 1, and the signing was one of many for Watson and his band. On April 10, Watson will pair with fellow Texas country artist Jason Boland for a two-month “Fiddles, Steels And 18 Wheels” tour.
Watson has put out eight albums so far in his career, but for fans who aren’t too familiar with his music, the band’s Web site currently has 15 songs available for free download.
Listen to the forthcoming podcast for a personal glimpse of life on the road with Aaron Watson, and check out his Web site to keep up to date on what’s developing in the Watson camp at www.aaronwatson.com, or visit his myspace at myspace.com/aaronwatson.
I'm glad you liked it! I've worked with Aaron and his band several times in the past year. They're all real nice guys and always on top of their game! I'm good friends with the sound engineer that tours with them, Brooks Willig. He and I used to work together for a sound and lighting company based here out of San Angelo and got to do production for a lot of really awesome bands of all genres. We worked with Aaron several times and he built them cables and such, then they asked him to go out on the road with them. Pretty cool. Chelsea
omg,
i was there,the concert was amazing, i love aaron watson!
& i can't believe i actually got to see him.
:]
you can see me somewhat in the picture of the crowd.
Post new comment