Twenty years ago, a small-town Georgia man with a dream released "Hicktown" and changed country music forever. Now, Jason Aldean sits down with us to unpack the remarkable journey from those uncertain early days to stadium-headlining superstardom.
In this revealing conversation, Aldean takes us behind the velvet rope of the music industry, sharing how he nearly passed on songs that became career-defining hits and watched others he declined become massive successes for fellow artists. "I think songs land where they're supposed to," he reflects, detailing his instinctive approach to selecting material that genuinely resonates with him rather than chasing trends or concepts.
The camaraderie between Aldean and the podcast hosts creates an intimate atmosphere as they reminisce about the lean years—playing to near-empty rooms, surviving on gas station food, and the faithful few who saw something special before the rest of the world caught on. Particularly moving is Aldean's tribute to producer Michael Knox, the one person who never abandoned ship when record deals fell apart: "I owe that guy everything."
Exclusive reveals about his upcoming album (including multiple high-profile duets) will excite longtime fans, while his candid takes on everything from NFL draft picks to reality TV offers provide a glimpse at the man behind the music. Aldean's perspective on artistic integrity resonates throughout, especially when discussing how streaming has changed listeners' relationship with music: "I think a little bit of that's lost now."
Whether you've followed Aldean since "Hicktown" or discovered him through "Try That in a Small Town," this conversation offers both nostalgia and fresh insights from an artist who's remained true to himself through two decades of country music evolution. Subscribe now and join us for this unforgettable journey through the highs, lows, and everything in between with one of country's most authentic voices.
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The Try That In A Small Town Podcast is produced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.co