Jason: Actually it is my dad that kind of started me, kind of
got the music bug instilled in me. I've got a couple of uncle's that sing. My dad was a pretty good singer back in his day
and played the guitar. When I was 4 or 5 years old, he use to put albums on and headphones and I would listen to them.
He is definitely the one that got me hooked on country music
at an early age.

Q. Your father did a lot of your booking in the beginning,
how much of a role does he have in your career now?

Jason: He was doing it back in the day when we were
traveling around and playing. Once I moved to Nashville and everything started to happen, it got a little too hard for him
to handle. He was doing good at what he was doing back
then, but it is kind of at a new level and he really doesn't
have any experience in that stuff. But, I still call him for
advice when I need to.

Q. In 2003 with the label issues and a new family, did you consider walking away from music for good? How hard
would that have been to do?

Jason: It would have been really hard. This is pretty much all I've ever done. Playing music is a great thing and the music business can be a great thing, but it can also be really frustrating, get you real depressed. I actually had a record
deal before the one I have now and I actually got dropped
from the label before I ever started cutting my album. So I
have been that close to having that dream happen and have
it snatched away. And it is tough. It is hard to go through that and feel like you blew your only shot that you might ever
have. When you've worked 10 or 12 years for it at that point.
I don't know that I would have ever totally gotten out of it. I probably would have went home, had my regular job and played a nightclub or something; put a band together then
play on weekends.

Q. And your wife was supportive through the whole thing?

Jason: Oh yeah. She's been really supportive. She is actually the one that had a regular job and had a steady paycheck. So at least we had one steady paycheck coming in. She's been a lifesaver.

Q. Who were some of your early influences growing up?

Jason: Alabama, Tracy Lawrence, and John Anderson.

Q. Where did you film the video for "Hicktown"?

Jason: Palmdale, Florida. It should have been called "Hicktown," because there wasn't anything there. It was really cool, just a big mud hole out in the middle of nowhere and people just showed up with all these trucks. The video was what you see is what you get.

Q. What was that experience like?

Jason: It was fun. You really don't know what to expect with it being the first time. I thought it was really cool. It was easy for me, because I did not have to do a lot of acting. All I had to do was get on stage and play and I know how to do that.

Q. Where do you see yourself in 5 years, career wise?

Jason: I hope to still be making a living playing music. That's why I got started in this. I always said if I could just make a living doing this, I'd consider that an achievement. I'm like anybody, I'd like to have a lot of success. I'd be lying if I said I didn't, but as long as I can keep doing it and pay the bills I'll
be fine.

Jason Aldean is from Georgia and tours on a regular basis.
Visit the official Jason Aldean website. Click here to read the Jason Aldean Bio. Watch: the "Hicktown" Music Video.
Click here to visit the Broken Bow Records website. Click here to read out Jason Aldean CD Review.

Musician Interview by Rhonda Lynn - Copyright © 2005 Florida Entertainment Scene - All Rights Reserved.