Aaron Watson

Aaron Watson

Aaron Watson is a country singer and songwriter from Amarillo, Texas, who builds his career around extensive touring and the Texas honky-tonk circuit. He grows up on country music and first sings old gospel hymns at church, before drawing on influences including Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, George Jones and George Strait.

Early life and development

Watson attends Abilene Christian University, where he plays baseball while developing his singing and guitar skills. During that period he works local honky-tonks, builds a regional following and begins writing songs seriously, often with his close friend Neal Lowry.

Recordings and live work

His 2004 release The Honky Tonk Kid is produced by Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel and features Willie Nelson. He later releases Live At The Texas Hall Of Fame, a live album recorded at the Texas Hall of Fame in Bryan, Texas, in front of a sell-out crowd of more than 2,000 people. The set contains 19 songs and includes material such as “Off The Record” and “Reckless” alongside new songs.

Touring and band

Watson earns his reputation through long-distance touring, playing hundreds of honky-tonks across the Southwest and beyond. One stretch of activity includes more than 500 shows across 11 states over two years. His touring and radio play extend beyond Texas into Oklahoma, Louisiana, Wyoming, Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina. He moves from travelling in a rental van with a four-piece band to performing with a larger group of six players, including fiddle and steel guitar, and he later owns his own tour bus.

Style and reputation

His work is rooted in Texas country and honky-tonk traditions, with a strong emphasis on live performance and a large set list. He presents himself as a road-based artist whose career is built through constant touring, local support and a focus on giving audiences a full show.