Jason Aldean
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This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2008) |
| Jason Aldean | |
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 Aldean performing in 2008 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jason Aldine Williams[1] |
| Born | February 28, 1977 [2] Macon, Georgia, USA[citation needed] |
| Genres | Country, country rock |
| Occupations | Singer |
| Instruments | Vocals, Guitar |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | Capitol Nashville Broken Bow |
| Associated acts | Brantley Gilbert Michael Knox Kelly Clarkson |
| Website | JasonAldean.com |
Jason Aldean (born Jason Aldine Williams on February 28, 1977) is an American country music singer. Since 2005, Aldean has recorded for Broken Bow Records, an independent record label for which he has released five albums and sixteen singles. His 2010 album My Kinda Party is certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), while his 2005 self-titled debut, 2007 album Relentless and 2009 album Wide Open are all certified platinum. Of his singles, nine have reached the number one position on the Hot Country Songs charts: "Why", "She's Country", "Big Green Tractor", "The Truth", "Don't You Wanna Stay" (a duet with Kelly Clarkson), "Dirt Road Anthem", "Fly Over States", "Take a Little Ride", and "The Only Way I Know". Seven more have reached top ten on the same chart.
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Early life [edit]
Aldean was born in Macon, Georgia. His parents, Barry and Debbie, divorced when he was three. He was raised by his mother, mainly in Macon, where he went to high school at Windsor Academy. During the summer he would spend time with his father in Homestead, Florida.
Before going to work during the day, his dad would map out guitar chords on notebook paper to show Aldean where to place his fingers to play the chords. Aldean sat and practiced all day while his dad was at work. When his dad got home, he got out his own guitar and they played together. Soon, after hearing a song only a few times, he could play it. His early favorites included George Strait's "The Cowboy Rides Away", Hank Williams Jr.'s "The Blues Man", and Alabama's "My Home's in Alabama". Both parents encouraged young Aldean as he progressed musically. From age 14, after watching the country-music awards on TV, he wanted to perform on stage. With his mother's help, he performed at the local VFW hall in Macon, Georgia. He sang John Anderson's song "Seminole Wind" and Tracy Lawrence's "Sticks and Stones". He would later say that the entire audience – all ten – applauded, and that he almost had to be dragged off the stage because he was hooked on performing. He began performing at area talent contests and local fairs. At 15, he joined the "house band" at Georgia nightspot Nashville South.
Aldean chose his stage name, as a result of his name "Jason Williams" sounding too generic, along with the fact that the name was commonly associated with basketball as there were three players with the same name at the time his music career began. He changed the spelling of his middle name, Aldine, to come up with the name Aldean.
Personal life [edit]
Aldean married his high school sweetheart, Jessica Ussery, on August 4, 2001. Together the couple has two daughters. On April 25, 2013, seven months after Aldean admitted to acting inappropriately with former American Idol contestant Brittany Kerr, news outlets reported Aldean and his wife had already separated in January.[3] Aldean filed for divorce on April 26, citing irreconcilable differences.[2]
Along with current MLB players Adam LaRoche and Ryan Langerhans, former MLB players Chipper Jones and Tombo Martin, 'Duck Dynasty's' Willie Robertson, and fellow country singer Luke Bryan, Aldean owns a hunting company called Buck Commander [4]
He also has 1300 acres of land just outside of Nashville, Tennessee [5]
Musical career [edit]
After high school, with his father's help, Aldean and his band performed in college towns in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia, and then further up the southeastern seaboard. With one of the band's members, Justin Weaver, Aldean began writing songs. In 1998 he performed his original songs at a showcase staged by Atlanta nightclub The Buckboard. He was approached by Michael Knox, then of the Warner-Chappell song-publishing company.[6] After signing with Warner-Chappell, Aldean moved to Nashville on November 1, 1998, at age 21.
Aldean was offered a recording contract but was subsequently dropped. He signed with another label but again was dropped in 2000 for postponing his recording sessions repeatedly. Various showcases failed to bring him a contract. The last straw was an attempt at the Wildhorse Saloon where the promised label talent scouts never even showed up. Finally, Lawrence Mathis spotted Aldean at one of the showcases at The Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville. Mathis signed as Aldean's first manager. Still frustrated and discouraged with his struggling career, Aldean gave himself six months before planning to leave Nashville and return home to Georgia. Then five weeks later, he was offered a deal from Broken Bow Records in Nashville. Shortly after the release of his first album, Aldean picked up his new (and current) agent, Kevin Neal. Furthermore, while recording Relentless, Aldean moved to Clarence Spalding and Spalding Entertainment for management.
Jason Aldean (2005–2006) [edit]
Aldean's first single, "Hicktown", was released in early 2005.[6] It served as the lead-off to his album Jason Aldean, and reached a peak of No. 10 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. The album also produced his first Number One hit in "Why", as well as the No. 4-peaking "Amarillo Sky", which had previously been a non-charting single in 2002 for McBride & the Ride. Amarillo Sky earned a 2006 ACM nomination for song of the year and video of the year. Aldean earned the title of "Top New Male Vocalist" at the 2006 Academy of Country Music Awards. Jason Aldean has sold over one million copies in the United States, and was certified platinum by the RIAA in 2007.
Relentless (2007–2008) [edit]
Aldean spent most of January 2007 in the studio with producer Michael Knox to finish his second album, Relentless.[6] This album was released on May 29, 2007, and at Wal-Mart, it was released with a Limited Edition CMT Pick DVD that includes performances from Aldean. The album's lead-off single, "Johnny Cash", was originally recorded by Tracy Byrd and peaked at No. 6 when Aldean released it. Its followup, "Laughed Until We Cried", has become his fifth consecutive Top Ten hit. Relentless has also been certified gold by the RIAA, and its title track was released as its third single. The song has also been Aldean's lowest charting single in both the U.S. and Canada, failing to reach Top Ten on the country charts.
Wide Open (2009–2010) [edit]
Aldean released a seventh single titled "She's Country" to radio on December 1, 2008. It is the first single from his third album Wide Open which was released on April 7, 2009. The single debuted at No. 51 on the Hot Country Songs chart in late-November 2008. His seventh consecutive Top 40 hit on the country charts, it is also his first Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, and became his second number-one hit, and his first since "Why" in May 2006. The next single, the David Lee Murphy-Jim Collins co-write "Big Green Tractor," became Aldean's third Number One hit. Wide Open debuted at No. 2 on the Top Country Albums chart. "The Truth" became the album's third consecutive Number One hit in January 2010, with "Crazy Town" being the album's fourth single, peaking at No. 2 on the country charts.
Aldean performed with Bryan Adams on an episode of CMT Crossroads in the beginning of May, and the episode premiered on June 26, 2009.[7] In an interview with Shave Magazine, Aldean explained that working with Bryan on Crossroads "was great. He was a lot of fun." But the real highlight for Aldean was working with Randy Owen. "I am a big fan of Alabama so I got a chance to work with Randy Owen on this album (it didn’t make the album but it eventually made a bonus track). It was really cool. Alabama were like ‘The Beatles’ for me so working with him was definitely one of the highlights. I mean, both of those guys were really cool moments, but, if I had to pick one highlight, it would be working with Randy this year."[8]
A live DVD titled Wide Open Live & More was released on August 25, 2009.
At the 2010 CMT Music Awards Aldean picked up 3 nominations in Video of the Year and Male Video of the Year for "The Truth", as well as collaborative video of the year and CMT performance of the year for his performance of "Heaven" with Bryan Adams.[9]
My Kinda Party (2010–2012) [edit]
Aldean released a new single in August 2010, "My Kinda Party," which entered the Hot Country Songs chart at No. 41, which is the lead-off single from his album of the same name, released on November 2, 2010.[10] It marks as Aldean's tenth top 10 country hit. He also collaborated with Kelly Clarkson on the intimate duet "Don't You Wanna Stay". Aldean and Clarkson's performance on November 10, 2010, at the CMA Awards received positive recognition, and debuted at No. 59 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart from unsolicited airplay for the week of November 20, 2010. In March 2011, "Don't You Wanna Stay" became Aldean's fifth number one hit.
In early 2011, Aldean's recording of "Dirt Road Anthem", recorded previously by both of its writers, country rap artist Colt Ford and Brantley Gilbert (who also wrote "My Kinda Party"), debuted on the Hot Country Songs chart at No. 57 as an album cut from unsolicited airplay for the week of February 5, 2011.[11] In March 2011, "Dirt Road Anthem" was selected as the third single from My Kinda Party. Aldean also collaborated with Ludacris on the song "Dirt Road Anthem" at the 2011 CMT Music Awards in Nashville, Tennessee on Wednesday, June 8, 2011. In addition to making number one on the Hot Country Songs chart for the week of July 30, 2011, "Dirt Road Anthem" has also become Aldean's first top ten hit on the Hot 100 chart.
Aldean performed his song "My Kinda Party" at the start of the 2011 Home Run Derby, aired on ESPN.
Aldean won the CMA Country Album of the Year 2011 as well as the Musical Event of the Year with his duet, "Don't You Wanna Stay", with Kelly Clarkson. It was his first win.
On October 25, 2011, it was announced that Aldean will be performing on The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live! – Countdown to Music's Biggest Night, the one-hour special which takes place live on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at the Nokia Theatre L.A. The show will announce nominations in several categories as well as feature performances by past GRAMMY winners and/or nominees.[12]
The fourth single from My Kinda Party was "Tattoos on This Town" at number 2, followed by the number 1 "Fly Over States".
Night Train (2012–present) [edit]
The first single from Aldean's fifth album was "Take a Little Ride." It was released on July 16, 2012. Later, the album's title was announced as Night Train. The album was released on October 16, 2012. The album's second single, "The Only Way I Know," is a collaboration among Aldean, Luke Bryan and Eric Church. The album's third single, "1994," is a tribute to Joe Diffie.
During a radio interview on May 18, Aldean hinted at another possible collaboration with Ludacris. He did state that it would not be on Night Train.[13]
Jason and the band performed "My Kinda Party" during the Peoples' Choice Awards on January 9, 2013.
Tours [edit]
- Me & My Gang Tour 2006
- with Rascal Flatts & Gary Allan (Eric Church was kicked off for playing too long and Aldean took his spot, along with Taylor Swift)
- Still Feels Good 2007
- Free and Easy Summer Tour
- with Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert 2007
- Live Your Voice Tour
- with Tim McGraw 2008
- CMT ON TOUR: Relentless
- with Lady Antebellum 2008
- Last Rodeo Tour
- with Brooks & Dunn 2010
- Wide Open Tour 2010
- with Luke Bryan (All Year) & David Nail, Jake Owen, Uncle Kracker, Love and Theft (Select Dates)
- My Kinda Party Tour 2011 with
- Spring Leg: Eric Church & The JaneDear Girls
- Fall Leg: Chris Young & Thompson Square
- My Kinda Party Tour 2012
- with Luke Bryan (All Year), Lauren Alaina (Spring Leg) & Rachel Farley (Summer & Fall Leg)
- 2013 Night Train Tour
- with Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Jake Owen, Thomas Rhett & Kelly Clarkson (Select Dates)
Awards and nominations [edit]
| Year | Organization | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | ACM Awards | Top New Male Vocalist | Won |
| 2007 | ACM Awards[14] | Song of the Year – "Amarillo Sky" | Nominated |
| Video of the Year – "Amarillo Sky" | Nominated | ||
| CMA Awards[15] | Horizon Award | Nominated | |
| 2010 | American Country Awards | Male Artist of the Year | Nominated |
| CMT Music Awards[16] | Video of the Year – "The Truth" | Nominated | |
| Male Video of the Year – "The Truth" | Nominated | ||
| Collaborative Video of the Year – "Heaven" with Bryan Adams from CMT Crossroads | Nominated | ||
| 2011 | ACM Awards[17] | Entertainer of the Year | Nominated |
| Male Vocalist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Billboard Music Awards[18] | Top Country Artist | Nominated | |
| Top Country Album – "My Kinda Party" | Nominated | ||
| CMT Music Awards[19] | Video of the Year – "My Kinda Party" | Nominated | |
| Male Video of the Year – "My Kinda Party" | Nominated | ||
| Collaborative Video of the Year – "Don't You Wanna Stay" with Kelly Clarkson | Nominated | ||
| Best Web Video of the Year – "My Kinda Party" live from CMT.com webcast | Nominated | ||
| CMA Awards[20] | Entertainer of the Year | Nominated | |
| Single of the Year – "Don't You Wanna Stay" with Kelly Clarkson | Nominated | ||
| Musical Event of the Year – "Don't You Wanna Stay" with Kelly Clarkson | Won | ||
| Album of the Year – My Kinda Party | Won | ||
| Male Vocalist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Billboard Touring Awards[21] | Breakthrough | Won | |
| American Music Awards[22] | Favorite Country Male Artist | Nominated | |
| Favorite Country Album – "My Kinda Party" | Nominated | ||
| American Country Awards[23] | Male Music Video of the Year – "My Kinda Party" | Nominated | |
| Artist of the Year | Won | ||
| Male Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Album of the Year – My Kinda Party | Won | ||
| Single of the Year: Male – "My Kinda Party" | Won | ||
| Single of the Year: Vocal Collaboration – "Don't You Wanna Stay" with Kelly Clarkson | Won | ||
| Touring Headline Act of the Year | Won | ||
| Music Video: Group, Duo, or Collaboration – "Don't You Wanna Stay" with Kelly Clarkson | Won | ||
| 2012 | Grammy Awards[24] | Best Country Solo Performance – "Dirt Road Anthem" | Nominated |
| Best Country Duo/Group Performance – "Don't You Wanna Stay" with Kelly Clarkson | Nominated | ||
| Best Country Album – "My Kinda Party" | Nominated | ||
| ACM Awards[25] | Entertainer of the Year | Nominated | |
| Male Vocalist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Album of the Year – "My Kinda Party" | Nominated | ||
| Vocal Event of the Year – "Don't You Wanna Stay" with Kelly Clarkson | Won | ||
| Single Record of the Year – "Don't You Wanna Stay" with Kelly Clarkson | Won | ||
| Video of the Year – "Tattoos on This Town" | Nominated | ||
| Billboard Music Awards[26] | Top Country Artist | Nominated | |
| Top Country Album – "My Kinda Party" | Won | ||
| Top Country Song – "Dirt Road Anthem" | Won | ||
| CMT Music Awards[27] | Video of the Year – "Dirt Road Anthem" | Nominated | |
| Male Video of the Year – "Dirt Road Anthem" | Nominated | ||
| CMT Performance of the Year – "Tattoos On This Town" from Artists of the Year | Won | ||
| Teen Choice Awards | Male Country Artist | Nominated | |
| Choice Country Song: Tattoos On This Town | Nominated | ||
| CMA Awards | Entertainer of the Year | Nominated | |
| Male Vocalist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Single of the Year | Nominated | ||
| American Music Awards[28] | Country Music: Favorite Male Artist | Nominated | |
| American Country Awards[28] | Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| Male Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Single of the Year – "Tattoos On This Town" | Nominated | ||
| Single by a Male Artist – "Tattoos On This Town" | Nominated | ||
| Song of the Year: "Fly Over States" | Nominated | ||
| Song of the Year: "Tattoos On This Town" | Nominated | ||
| Touring Artist of the Year | Won | ||
| 2013 | People's Choice Awards | Favorite Country Singer | Nominated |
| ACM Awards | Entertainer of the Year | Nominated | |
| Male Vocalist of the Year | Won | ||
| Vocal Event of the Year - "The Only Way I Know"(with Luke Bryan & Eric Church) | Won | ||
| Billboard Music Awards | Top Country Artist | Pending | |
| Top Country Album- "Night Train" | Pending | ||
| Top Male Artist | Pending | ||
| CMT Music Awards | Video of the Year - "1994" | Pending | |
| Male Video of the Year - "Take a Little Ride" | Pending | ||
| Collaborative Video of the Year - "The Only Way I Know"(with Luke Bryan & Eric Church) | Pending |
Discography [edit]
Albums [edit]
- 2005: Jason Aldean
- 2007: Relentless
- 2009: Wide Open
- 2010: My Kinda Party
- 2012: Night Train
References [edit]
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 21. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.
- ^ a b "Jason Williams vs. Jessica Ann Ussery Williams Complaint for Divorce". Chancery Court for Williamson County, Tennessee. April 26, 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
- ^ Takeda, Allison (April 25, 2013). "Exclusive: Jason Aldean, Wife Jessica Ussery Separate After Cheating Scandal". Us Weekly. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
- ^ http://www.buckcommander.com/buckmen/
- ^ http://tasteofcountry.com/jason-aldean-buys-1300-acre-farm/
- ^ a b c Leggett, Steve. "Jason Aldean biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
- ^ "Artist". MusicRow. 2011-01-28. Retrieved 2011-02-03.
- ^ Ziyah. "Interview With Jason Aldean". ShaveMagazine.com. Retrieved 2009-11-30.
- ^ "Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Sugarland Lead 2010 CMT Music Awards Nominees | CMT Blog". Blog.cmt.com. 2010-04-05. Retrieved 2011-02-03.
- ^ "Jason Aldean Sets Release of Fourth Studio Album – My Kinda Party for 11.2.2010". Jason Aldean. 2010-08-23. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
- ^ "CMT: News: Kenny Chesney's "Somewhere With You" Remains on Top". CMT. 2011-01-29. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
- ^ "Aldean, Others Set To Perform For GRAMMYs Nomination Party!". WUSN-FM US99.5.
- ^ "Jason Aldean to Collaborate with Ludacris Again".
- ^ "News : Headlines : 42nd Academy of Country Music Awards Final Nominees : Great American Country". Gactv.com. 2007-05-15. Retrieved 2012-10-16.
- ^ "2007 CMA Awards Nominations · Country Music News · ACountry · Just Like Being There". Acountry.com. Retrieved 2012-10-16.
- ^ Posted May 11th 2010 10:00AM by Beville Darden Comments (2010-05-11). "2010 CMT Awards Nominees". The Boot. Retrieved 2012-10-16.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "2011 Billboard Music Award Nominees Include Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum". Tasteofcountry.com. 2011-04-13. Retrieved 2012-10-16.
- ^ April 27, 2011 (2011-04-27). "News : 2011 CMT Music Awards Nominees Revealed". CMT. Retrieved 2012-10-16.
- ^ "CMA Awards 2011: List of nominations - 11/09/2011 | Entertainment News from". OnTheRedCarpet.com. 2011-11-09. Retrieved 2012-10-16.
- ^ [2][dead link]
- ^ "Nominated for Two 2011 American Music Awards! » News". Jason Aldean. Retrieved 2012-10-16.
- ^ "American Country Awards 2011 Nominees Announced". Tasteofcountry.com. 2011-10-13. Retrieved 2012-10-16.
- ^ "54th Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominees And Winners". GRAMMY.com. Retrieved 2012-10-16.
- ^ "2012 ACM Awards Nominees Announced". Tasteofcountry.com. 2012-01-26. Retrieved 2012-10-16.
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/#/news/2012-billboard-music-awards-finalists-complete-1006822152.story?page=1//
- ^ [3][dead link]
- ^ a b [4][dead link]
External links [edit]
- Official website
- Jason Aldean at Allmusic
- "Jason Aldean Biography". Great American Country. Retrieved 2008-03-30.
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