Includes Emotional Acoustic Bonus Track “Higher Ground,”
Marking One-Year Anniversary Of Hurricane Harvey
Pre-Order Now and Instantly Receive New Music
$1.41 From Each Album Sold Will Benefit Rebuild Texas Fund
In Watson’s Home State
Nashville, TN — Aaron Watson Live at the World’s Biggest Rodeo Show, the “pioneering independent’s” (Cowboys & Indians) 14th album and his first live album in nearly a decade, is set to release on August 24, 2018, marking the one year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey’s landfall on the south Texas coast (August 25, 2017). The Category 4 storm caused $125 billion in damage according to the National Hurricane Center and impacted 13 million people in 41 Texas counties. $1.41 from each album sold will benefit the Rebuild Texas Fund, in recognition of the widespread devastation across Watson’s beloved home state. Recorded live in front of 65,000 fans on opening night of the 2017 Rodeo Houston, the album is particularly poignant to the Texas born-and-bred singer/songwriter.
“We had planned on releasing this album in the second half of 2017, but after the storm it just didn’t feel right,” says Watson. “I’ve always wanted my music to do good in the world and it became clear that there was a real opportunity to hold onto this project and release it on the one year anniversary of the hurricane. So much of my home state of Texas was affected. Hopefully by bringing the recovery efforts back to the forefront, it will remind people that there is still so much work left to do. I’m also extremely proud to partner with the Rebuild Texas Fund, which makes sure every dollar goes back into the local communities, and help them raise money by donating a portion of the live album sales.”
The collection contains 13 songs from Aaron’s 18-year career, recorded live at the 2017 Rodeo Houston, and includes the emotional acoustic bonus track, “Higher Ground,” which Aaron wrote as Hurricane Harvey was devastating his home state of Texas.
“I was out of state touring when Harvey hit. I felt helpless being so far away,” shares Watson. “This storm is personal to me. My grandparents lived in, and are buried in, an area that was devastated. Seeing that on the news and the people there struggling to escape, rescue each other and recover was the inspiration for writing the song ‘Higher Ground.’”
“I pray you always be strong
You always be brave
Take heart and hold on for dear life
Wave after wave, after all those tears fall
down, down, down
Come hell or high water
Only love will find you higher ground.”
Fans can pre-order Aaron Watson Live at the World’s Biggest Rodeo Show now and instantly receive acoustic bonus track “Higher Ground.” In addition, tickets are available NOW for a special Houston-area show as Aaron Watson and Gary Allan play on August 24 at the Smart Financial Centre (Sugar Land). Tickets for the all ages event can be found HERE.
Adding to the summertime excitement, Watson’s new single from Vaquero, “Run Wild Horses,” was just named one of Rolling Stone’s 10 Best Country Songs of the Week, and is currently climbing the national radio charts. The video for the self-penned homage to his wife “turns the heat way up” (Taste of Country), premiered with CMT Music last month and has racked up positions on some impressive playlists including Pandora’s New Country Now, Amazon Music’s New In Country, Apple’s Hot Tracks, and Randy Travis’ “Diggin’ Up Songs” on Spotify.
Aaron Watson Live at the World’s Biggest Rodeo Show
- “These Old Boots Have Roots” (Aaron Watson)
- “Freight Train” (Aaron Watson, Troy Olsen, Tim Nichols)
- “Real Good Time” (Aaron Watson)
- “Raise Your Bottle” (Aaron Watson)
- “That’s Why God Loves Cowboys” (Aaron Watson, Troy Olsen, Sarah Buxton)
- “That Look” (Aaron Watson)
- “Outta Style” (Aaron Watson)
- “Bluebonnets” (Julia’s Song) (Aaron Watson)
- “They Don’t Make Em Like They Use To” (Aaron Watson)
- “Fence Post” (Aaron Watson)
- “Wildfire” (John Mayer)
- “Getaway Truck” (Aaron Watson)
- “July in Cheyenne” (Song for Lane’s Momma) (Aaron Watson)
- “Higher Ground” (Acoustic Bonus Track) (Aaron Watson)
Aaron Watson wrapped 2017 with a Top 10 on the national radio charts with his self-penned “Outta Style.” At 50 weeks, the hit single shattered a Billboard record, marking the longest trek to the coveted spot in the history of their Country Airplay Chart. The Texas troubadour ended his banner year with his album Vaquero earning one of the 10 biggest album debuts of the year in country music and a number of “Best Album of 2017” nods, including Whiskey Riff and the No. 1 spot on Taste of Country’s year end list, proclaiming the project “a rich collection of cowboy poetry.”