When it came time to record a follow up to the hit album shutupanddance, Aaron Watson knew he had a considerable task on his hands. The success of "Off The Record" (one of the top 5 most played songs in Texas in 2003) coupled with headlining dates at venues such as Billy Bob's Texas, Midnight Rodeo, and Gilley's Dallas has pushed Aaron to the forefront of the music scene in Texas in a remarkably short amount of time. Add to this a Justin Boots campaign that featured three of Aaron's songs in TV commercials that aired nationally on ESPN and the Outdoor Life Network, and you've got a star in the making.

How do you follow up a successful album? For Aaron Watson, the answer is more success. When Aaron sat down to make his newest album The Honky Tonk Kid, he knew exactly what he wanted to do—make a great country record that he could be proud of. Aaron has done just that by enlisting the help of the Grammy Award-Winning Ray Benson of Asleep At The Wheel as producer, and using some of the finest country musicians around—legendary players including Ralph Mooney, Redd Volkaert, and Floyd Domino. It also doesn't hurt to have guys like Willie Nelson and Dale Watson (no relation) sing on your record.

"Reckless," the first single off The Honky Tonk Kid, has been garnering heavy airplay all over the state, and has been in the top 5 of the Texas Music Chart for over two months. With record sales already surpassing all expectations, the sky is the limit for The Honky Tonk Kid.

Born in Amarillo and raised on country music, Aaron's first musical influence came from singing old gospel hymns at church. Later down the road, inspiration came from Willie, Waylon, Merle, George, and George. While attending college at Abilene Christian University and playing baseball, Aaron polished his vocal and guitar playing skills while writing continuously with his close friend Neal Lowry and developing a strong following in the local honky-tonk circuit.

Aaron has come a long way since playing the local bars in college. He and his six-piece band are now traveling on a tour bus instead of a van, and have expanded their touring range outside of Texas, with dates in Oklahoma, Louisiana, Wyoming, Tennessee, Kentucky, Oregon, and North Carolina. With nearly 200 shows this year, there is sure to be an Aaron Watson show at a venue near you. If you get a chance to see a show, it won't be hard to see why The Honky Tonk Kid is turning heads across the nation.

Profile courtesy of Unrest Music Group.