Aaron Watson - The Underdog - Printable Version +- Music Discussion (https://www.music-discussion.com) +-- Forum: Music Discussion (https://www.music-discussion.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=4) +--- Forum: Country/Folk/Americana (https://www.music-discussion.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=17) +--- Thread: Aaron Watson - The Underdog (/showthread.php?tid=12843)

Aaron Watson - The Underdog - Music Head - 03-03-2015 enters the Billboard chart this week at #14 Spotify online listen not yet rated by allmusic 6th studio album a step above most modern country for about half of it but I'm seeing half empty artist website - http://www.aaronwatson.com/welcome.html Bio - from allmusic A young singer and songwriter in the Texas honky tonk tradition, Aaron Watson plays country music with a traditional feel but a young man's energy and spunk, and has earned a loyal fan following in the Lone Star State. Born in Amarillo, TX, Watson's earliest musical influences were the gospel hymns he sang in church with his family and the classic country records by George Jones, Merle Haggard, and Willie Nelson his folks played around the house. Watson began writing and singing his own songs while he was a student at Abilene Christian University, and after graduating he became a regular fixture on the Texas honky tonk circuit. In 2002 Watson released his first album, Shutupanddance, which was a major success in Texas, spawning the hit singles "Off the Record," "I Don't Want You to Go (But I Need You to Leave)," and the title tune. The album also earned him airplay and media attention nationwide, and Watson followed up his debut in 2004 with The Honky Tonk Kid, which was produced by Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel and featured guest vocals from Watson's hero, Willie Nelson. Watson and his band the Orphans of the Brazos captured their energetic live set on tape with their 2005 release Live at the Texas Hall of Fame, and Watson returned to the studio in 2006 for his fourth album, San Angelo. In 2008 Watson began transforming his sound -- albeit subtly and without leaving his Texas roots behind -- toward a more contemporary country radio-friendly one on the reflective Angels & Outlaws. In 2010 he released The Road & the Rodeo, returning to more uptempo material, while smoothing his edges further. The result was more airplay, higher-profile touring engagements, and charting inside Billboard's Top 200. Album Review - from journalstar Here’s a shocker -- the No. 1 country album in the country is actually a country record. It comes from Aaron Watson, pays homage to George Strait, George Jones and Johnny Cash, has plenty of fiddle and twang and, of course, was released independently by the Texas country stalwart whose rejection by Nashville is recounted in “Fence Post,” the album’s closer. Tapping into classic country themes, the album’s got lots of love songs, "Blame It on Those Baby Blues,” “One of Your Nights” and “Getaway Truck” for three; paeans to family and nods to cowboys in "That’s Why God Loves Cowboys,” which includes cowgirls as well, and in the funny “Rodeo Queen” about a rodeo clown in love. Watson’s a solid singer who sometimes tries to cram too many words into a phrase. The music, co-produced by Keith Stegall, is first rate, and it’s pure country, which is a very, very good thing to see at the top of the charts. Grade: B this one was ok: [video=youtube;61dXO7Yz3TE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61dXO7Yz3TE[/video] Track Listing 1. The Prayer 2. Wildfire 3. Freight Train 4. That Look 5. Getaway Truck 6. Bluebonnets (Julia's Song) 7. That's Why God Loves Cowboys 8. That's Gonna Leave a Mark 9. The Underdog 10. Blame It On Those Baby Blues 11. One of Your Nights 12. Family Tree 13. Rodeo Queen 14. Fence Post