Aaron Watson Biography

James Aaron Watson, born on August 20, 1977, in Amarillo, Texas, is an acclaimed American country music singer and songwriter. His love for music began in his youth, spurred by the classic country records of George Jones, Merle Haggard, and Willie Nelson that his parents would play. This passion was further fuelled by the gospel hymns he sang in church with his family. After graduating from Randall High School, Watson attended Lubbock Christian University and Abilene Christian University. During his college years, he started learning to play the guitar while also playing junior college baseball in New Mexico.

Watson's professional music career kicked off in 1999 with his first album, "Aaron Watson – Singers and Songwriters". Over the years, he has produced several independent albums, including his second album "A Texas Cafe". However, it was his third album, "Shut Up And Dance", released in 2002, that gained him nationwide recognition and radio airplay. His subsequent albums, "The Honky Tonk Kid" produced by Ray Benson and featuring Willie Nelson, and "Live at the Texas Hall of Fame", were met with positive responses. Watson's band, the Orphans of the Brazos, have been featured in many of his performances and albums.

Over the next several years, Watson continued to make significant strides in his career. His 2007 album "Barbed Wire Halo" showcased a collection of gospel songs, including readings by Billy Joe Shaver. The following year, Watson's "Angels & Outlaws" peaked at No. 4 on the US Billboard Heatseekers chart and entered the Billboard 200. "Hearts Are Breaking Across Texas", the debut single from this album, achieved No. 1 on the Texas Music Chart. Watson's 10th studio album, "The Road & The Rodeo", was released in 2010 under Big Label Records and reached No. 4 on the US Billboard Heatseekers chart.

In 2012, Watson's album "Real Good Time" achieved national attention, marking a significant point in his career. It was his most successful album at that time, reaching No. 9 on the US Billboard Country Albums and breaking into the top twenty for independent albums. In 2015, Watson reached a career milestone with his album "The Underdog", making him the first independent male artist to debut at Number One on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The album's lead single, "That Look", debuted in the top 10 of the Billboard Country Digital Songs chart and ended as one of the most successful-selling independent singles.

Watson's journey continued with his eleventh studio album "Vaquero", released in 2017. The album's lead single, "Outta Style", marked Watson's first top 10 hit on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and garnered a BMI Award for most radio airplay and a BMI Millionaire Award. In subsequent years, Watson released his first live record in ten years, "Live at the World's Biggest Rodeo Show", and his first Christmas project, "An Aaron Watson Family Christmas", which featured his family. His most recent album, "Red Bandana", released in 2019, includes 20 songs and received mixed reviews from fans.