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Living Light News - January/February 2016
Sights&Sounds
The Underdog Lands on by Lyneta Smith
After 15 years, Aaron Watson finally found overnight success. The Underdog, Watson’s 12th album, debuted last February as the No. 1 record on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. As the first independent artist ever to have achieved top ratings, Watson travelled an unconventional path to fame. He doesn’t credit his own efforts, though. “If Jesus can walk on water, then makin’ our record number one is just a walk in the park,” he says. “Having a chart-topping record in a way that’s never been done before really gave me an opportunity to give God all the glory.” Having a successful musical career gives the native Texan a platform to spark the light of Jesus Christ in dark places. Instead of avoiding honky-tonks and bars, Watson views them as a mission field. “I’ve been in the roughest place you could imagine, rowdiness going on, things bein’ said, and I stand my ground and say what needs to be said. Because you know what? Who’s more mighty than God? No one.” The singer/songwriter didn’t always dream of performing as a country music artist. In fact, he grew up singing in an Abilene church and lived in a home where his parents modelled their relationship with Jesus Christ,
photo courtesy Shore Fire Media
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“I stay focused on my faith, my family, and my fans.”
especially through difficult times. “[My parents’] faith was the one constant that always helped us put one foot in front of the other.” He credits his upbringing for helping him become the artist he is today. For the husband and father of four, singing and writing songs isn’t merely for entertainment. Music helped heal his broken heart after his infant daughter, Julia Grace, passed away four years ago. After praying for God’s help to start writing again, he penned “July in Cheyenne” for his album, Real Good Time, about the late bull rider Lane Frost. “The big picture is that because Jesus died for me, I have the opportunity to see my baby girl again in heaven, and I felt that burden lifted off my heart. As a way of saying thank you, I wrote that song for Lane’s mom.” His latest album, The Underdog, features “Bluebonnets,” a tribute to Julia Grace, who died from a chromosomal disorder. “It’s been heartbreaking. Every day, we just can’t help but think, ‘I wonder what she’d be doing today. I wonder what she’d look like.’ ” Though tragic, the loss opened an opportunity for him to offer his fans comfort. People who’ve lost their own children write to him every day. “I think one reason why my music has been so appealing to others is because we’re
very real, and life is tough. Jesus didn’t come to this world because things were great. He came here because the world is full of sorrow, because the world is lost without Jesus. We have to remind ourselves that our lives on this earth end in death. That’s a tough pill to swallow. “Rather than focus on my personal performance, I ask God to give me the energy and charisma to play a great show so I can let my light shine up there onstage and have a positive influence on someone out in the crowd that’s going through a tough time.” Once Watson finishes a show, he takes time to visit with his fans. He knows firsthand the importance of connecting with them — even on social media. A fan, on the verge of committing suicide, saw a picture that Watson posted of his kids with a Bible verse. “It made him realize ending his life wasn’t what he wanted to do. That’s just the power of the word of God.” As an independent artist in mainstream country music, Watson doesn’t even miss the accolades that come with a big Nashville label. “I’ve never won any awards, but you know there aren’t any awards on this earth that can compare to what it feels like to have someone tell you that a song you wrote got them to know Jesus. That’s my award.” Despite his success, the family man keeps
his career in perspective with a simple business model. “I stay focused on my faith, my family, and my fans. With every decision I make, I think, ‘Does this give God the glory? Am I staying true to my faith? Am I staying true to my family? Am I staying true to my fans?’ If I can answer ‘yes’ to those three questions, it’s easy enough for me to make a decision.” Working without a big record label gives Watson the freedom to make his own decisions about which songs to cut, what to wear, and where to tour. Watson’s appeal spans across the ocean to Europe. He will begin his sixth European tour in January. He credits his western lifestyle — horses, cowboy hat, boots, and big belt buckles — for his fans’ fascination with his music. “They love Texas. They’re infatuated with the West and cowboys.” Wherever he goes, he plans to keep sharing the love of Jesus with anyone who’ll listen. “There’s a whole lot of mission work to be done here. I love the fact that I have the opportunity to get onstage with my guitar and my band in some very rough honkytonks and bars and tell people about Jesus.” Connect with Aaron Watson on Facebook, Instagram (@AaronWatsonMusic), and Twitter (@aaron_watson).
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