Aaron Watson





























Aaron Watson
Aaron Watson Video


Aaron Watson isn’t interested in what someone else thinks he should do. But instead of getting lonely as he sidesteps expectations, he’s gaining followers––hundreds of thousands of them. Delivered with a warm smile and fueled by a wild spirit, Watson’s rebellion echoes the land that helped make him.

Watson remains strikingly similar to the people that still dot his native West Texas. They’re a rugged people, proud of home but humble and hardworking, the first to help a neighbor but also fiercely independent. And Watson is unquestionably one of them.

“I’ve always considered myself an anti-rock star,” Watson says, his drawl cracking slightly as he grins. “People don’t like me because I’m a rock star. People like me because I’m just like them.”

Throughout his 17-year career that spans a dozen albums and more than 2,500 shows throughout the U.S. and Europe, 39-year-old Watson has stubbornly and sincerely identified with the everyman––even as he’s proven to be the exception to the rule.

The latest evidence of Watson’s homespun singularity is Vaquero, an ambitious 16-song set of character-driven storytelling, level-headed cultural commentary, and love songs for grown-ups that promise to further solidify his status as one of today’s finest torch-bearers of real country music.

Vaquero is the follow-up to 2015’s The Underdog, an acclaimed collection that also made history. Watson was sitting at his kitchen table as his wife Kim scrambled eggs when he got the call: The Underdog had debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart. It was the first time an independent, male country artist had ever outsold majors to premiere at the top spot. “We started jumping around and squealing like kids,” he says. “It was a beautiful moment because I got to share it with the girl who believed in me when I was broke and playing some pawnshop guitar. It is something I’ll never forget.” That momentous instant also arrived with a built-in challenge. “Once we dried the tears of joy, it hit me,” Watson says. “I had my work cut out for me for my next album.”

Determined, Watson committed to waking up every morning before the sun rose to write songs on that same old pawnshop guitar he scored 20 years ago. “I bet you I couldn’t get $50 for that guitar,” he says. “But it means the world to me.” He penned songs in the back of a bus on the highway, too, as the band spent the last two years playing more than 35 states and six countries.

The result is Vaquero, a bold album that confidently draws from Texas’ storied musical melting pot: dancehall shuffles, dustbowl narratives, Tejano, and more fill the record.

In writing the new album, Watson felt especially drawn to the idea of the vaquero, the original Spanish horseman that set the foundation for the North American cowboy, a solitary figure with a legendary work ethic. Watson is a modern-day vaquero––he just gets up at 5 a.m. to wrangle songs instead of cattle. And while he won’t deny the pressure he felt following his last album’s success, outside barometers can’t compel him to change who he is or what he writes. Watson is Watson, chart-topping record or not.

“This is the first album I’ve ever made where if it’s the last album I ever make, I could be content with that,” Watson says of Vaquero.

One listen and it’s easy to understand why. Album opener “Texas Lullaby” pays lilting homage both to home and to the bravery of the young heroes fighting wars. Deep connections to place and family course throughout the record. Sing-along “These Old Boots Have Roots” celebrates new love by offering promises grounded in the honor and grace of past generations. A fiddle accents Watson’s lines playfully then escalates to a hopeful roar.

Romance is a central theme of the album, but Watson isn’t interested in adding to the steady stream of hook-up anthems coming out of Music Row. Watson’s love songs are celebrations of monogamy and the bonds that only time, mutual respect, and persistence can build. The swinging, fiddle-soaked “Take You Home Tonight” anticipates a steamy night in, while “Run Wild Horses” is a passionate ode to lovemaking featuring a standout vocal performance from Watson, whose laid-back croon lets loose and soars. Infectious first single “Outta Style” and shuffling “Be My Girl Tonight” both praise staying power and explore how to protect it.

Watson revels in another kind of love on the album closer, “Diamonds and Daughters.” Two years ago, his then four-year-old daughter asked him to write her a song for his next record. “I thought it sure would be special if I could write her a song right now that we could dance to at her wedding someday,” he says. That’s exactly what he did. A tender look at the past, present, and future, the song will undoubtedly touch every parent and daughter who hears it.

The title track is an accordion-fueled joy, buoyed by Watson’s delivery of life lessons courtesy of an old vaquero sitting alone at a bar. “Mariano’s Dream” and “Clear Isabel” are companion pieces, placed back-to-back to stunning cinematic effect. Plaintive instrumental “Mariano’s Dream” kicks off the experience, haunting and sad as an acoustic guitar carries listeners through a lush Tex-Mex soundscape. The song then segues into “Clear Isabel,” and listeners soon discover the Mariano named in the previous track is father to Isabel. A story of sacrifice and heartbreak, “Clear Isabel” imbues the souls who choose to cross a river in search of safety with the dignity and beauty they deserve. “It’s one of my favorite moments on the record,” Watson says. “I feel like if I could play Guy Clark that song, he’d smile.”

“They Don’t Make Em Like They Used To” begins as warm nostalgia, and other comforts before intensifying into no mere stroll down memory lane, but an increasingly indignant rant, capturing the hurt and anger of a country that’s currently reeling politically and socially. “I think it might be the best song I’ve ever written,” Watson says.

Refusing to worry about charts or current trends, Watson hopes the main thing Vaquero accomplishes is bringing his growing legion of fans joy. And no matter what happens next, he is anchored and ready. “It doesn’t really matter whether I’m playing a dancehall in Texas or a stadium tour around the world, I’m just me,” he says. “I won’t change. I’m just too rooted in what I believe in. When you’ve played for such a long time to nobody, now that there’s somebody, you really don’t take that for granted.”

Date Venue City State Note
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03/15/2011 - Aaron Watson saves the 'best for last' - Read More
01/25/2011 - Texas singing sensation Aaron Watson to perform at Sky Ranch Gala in Plano - Read More
10/28/2010 - Amarillo native celebrates fans - Read More
07/23/2010 - Aaron Watson’s grass-roots approach to music business works for him - Read More
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03/01/2008 - Aaron Watson Q&A - Read More
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Average Rating : 4.7              Total Reviews: 254


Aaron Watson  02/14/2015            
SS
Passed thru Abilene and I love Texas music and Watson was ok nothing special. I guess Abilene and all the comments above are mostly fans from his city which doesn't speak much with only 100k people in it and probably 5% fans or friends! I was certainly not impressed and he seems arrogant. I'll defiantly save my money next time!
Aaron Watson  06/23/2011            
Christine E.
Aaron is the one artist who renewed my faith in the "country music" genre. He is not actually country music, he is TEXAS country music. Aaron not only knows how to put on an AMAZING show, he loves all of his fans and will often stay 2 or more hours after the show is over to talk with his fans, never rushing anyone out of line so that he can get to bed. the only thing that would make me love this site more is if SOMEHOW, SOMEWAY, we could buy his first two albums that are "out of print". I know that some good ole cowboy has those in his glovebox somewhere and i want to listen to them!
Aaron Watson  10/21/2010            
Cody
i havent bought an Aaron Watson cd since san angelo...but this cd is going to by far be his best release yet...cant wait for it to come out!!!!
Aaron Watson  04/15/2010            
fletch
AARON WATSON NEEDS TO DO A LIVE AT BILLY BOB'S CD. BOTH OF HIS OTHER LIVE CDS ARE GREAT.
Aaron Watson  11/29/2009            
Carolyn
I truely enjoy the AW show put on at Uncle Rons in Lincoln, Ne. Not only ie Aaron Watson a beautiful & pleasent person the other band members were also friendly and pleasent. I miss you guys and hope you will come back to Uncle Rons Saloon very soon. Aaron tks for the CD I love it. Love to all of you, Be Safe, & God Bless.
Aaron Watson  11/03/2009            
brenda gill
We have seen Aaron many times and will see him again Sat nite at graham's here in odessa, never once has this entertainer let a crowd down, from open to close it is all about the crowd, fans old and new are all treated alike and he will stay til all autographs, pictures, babies are kissed along with a few women just so he gets to see everyone before church on Sunday morning is all that matters to this man. Never have I ever enjoyed a show more than this man's and will continue to take all the friends I can to experience this " Watson epidemic that has started all over our great state and is now moving beyond borders, you go Aaron and show these outsiders what a true texas country singer can do!!!
Aaron Watson  09/21/2009            
shsurules
Great Live CD and the DVD quality is great too. I actually think this is better than the Live at the Texas Hall of Fame cd he has (both are great CDs though).
Aaron Watson  09/17/2009            
Brent
I hate to break it to anyone that thinks Aaron is rude, but you are wrong and probably a Pat "Sell Out Pop Star" Green fan. I met Aaron 7 years ago in the town of El Maton, TX (pop. 175ish). We were at the dancehall early playing pool before heading to the rodeo. We started talking to him and he said the show was booked late and he wasn't sure how big the crowd would be. He asked if we would talk to people at the rodeo and we did. After teh show was over we spent a while talking to him and he said if he ever had a show where we were he would let us in FREE. I didn't talk to him for about TWO YEARS. I sent him an email and he put me on the list. I was waiting by the door the people enter at Wild West in Lubbock, he saw me and remembered exactly who I was and where he met me. I have seen many of his shows since and everyone he takes the time to talk to EVERY fan and he LISTENS to them all. Listen to all of his albums, he isnt fake like Casey Donahew or Pat Green. He doesn't change his style of music to please the idiot critics. He is a great person and he is true to who he is and it shows. If you think he is rude please think again and let us know what you think because you could not be more wrong (especially considering a lot of these Texas Country guys are too drunk or high to put on a good show for the fans.
Aaron Watson  03/19/2009            
Shellstar
Aaron watson is one of the best country music singers today. He is all about the fans and spends hours to make sure everyone is happy. I have never seen a headliner sit and watch the opening act yet, don't know where your from! In Texas we love Aaron and think he is king!
Aaron Watson  03/13/2009            
wally
aaron has never come across me as rude....hes actually quite the opposite...he treats his fans with respect and will stay after shows as long as there is a crowd around and signs autographs..the honky tonk kid is king!!!!
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