Did Aaron Watson have something to do with the latest pattern of longer, 20-plus-song nation music albums?
The Texas nation legend stopped by the Whiskey Riff Raff podcast to speak about developing within the Texas music scene and the way that formed his perspective of nation music and the Nashville machine, coping with report executives, being self-sufficient and taking a singular strategy to his profession, present nation music beefs, how he began his tailgate talks on social media and the success that the movies have had on-line, enjoying the American Rodeo alongside Submit Malone and what that have was like and a lot extra.
As a proud, unbiased artist, Aaron Watson has all the time had the mindset that he could make it on his personal. He does issues how he needs to, and doesn’t ever let a report label inform him what he can or can not do. Even when report executives informed him there was no means he might launch a No. 1 album as an unbiased artist, he proved them improper.
Watson’s 2015 album The Underdog made historical past when it debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Nation Albums chart. It was the primary ever independently launched album to achieve the highest spot, and it’s simply one other instance of perseverance and onerous work paying off for the Texas native.
However as soon as he reached that milestone, Watson didn’t cease. He’s continued to jot down and launch new music, and in a means, be a trendsetter for different nation music artists to look in the direction of. There’s even an opportunity that Watson’s 2019 album Purple Bandana, which boasted 20 songs, helped open the door for others like Morgan Wallen and Zach Bryan to begin releasing initiatives with 20-plus tracks.
As soon as once more, Aaron Watson was informed he couldn’t do one thing, he did it in any case, and it labored out in his favor:
“I really suppose one among my greatest albums ever is that this album referred to as ‘Purple Bandana,’ which begins off with a track referred to as ‘The Ghost of Man Clark.’ We put 20 songs on that album and other people had been like, ‘You possibly can’t put 20 (songs on an album).’ And I did, after which everyone begins placing out (albums with 20 songs). It was a coincidence.”
That “it was a coincidence” was mentioned with some sarcasm, simply in case it didn’t learn like that.
Now, Aaron Watson has a 40-track double album titled Horse Named Texas popping out early subsequent yr (March 6, 2026 to be actual). He’s been slowly releasing singles from the upcoming venture, most lately “Pontiac (So Inform Me Momma),” and so they’ll all come collectively to kind the longest album of his profession.
How does Watson hold the songs coming, and write sufficient to refill a 40-song double album? Because the nation artists places it, the act of writing is among the many best of his life’s joys:
“I like to jot down. It’s my golf. It’s my searching. It’s my fishing. It’s my pastime. It’s my favourite factor.”
@whiskeyriff “It was a coincidence.” @Aaron Watson // The newest Whiskey Riff Raff episode is offered now on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.🤠 #whiskeyriff #whiskeyriffraff #aaronwatson ♬ unique sound – Whiskey Riff
You possibly can hear extra from the “July In Cheyenne” singer by downloading the podcast on Apple Podcasts by looking out “Whiskey Riff Raff” or click on right here.
We’re additionally accessible on Spotify and wherever else you’ll be able to hearken to podcasts.
Cheers, y’all.
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