Published: June 06, 2008 09:44 am         

MUSIC: Aldean to open for McGraw at Darien Lake

By Tim Lowden



Ask Jason Aldean if he’s paid his dues to become a country music star, and he’ll probably brush the question off with his ever-so-humble Southern drawl.

But in reality, it has been 10 long years since the Macon, Ga., native decided he’d try to make it in country music. While he’s had his bumps along the way, he never seems to stop working hard. Aldean makes his way Friday to the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center as the opener for Tim McGraw.

With a new album, a single climbing the charts and 150 or so shows lined up this year, Aldean has a full slate. But according to him, it’s just part of the gig.

“This year, we scaled back a bit,” Aldean said in a recent phone interview. “I think we’ve done 200 shows the past three years and about 150 this year. You just kind of get used to it.”

The touring has paid off. His debut self-titled album spawned a No. 1 single in “Why” and is certified platinum. His sophomore release, “Relentless,” is already certified gold due in part to the hit “Laughed Until We Cried,” and the title track is making waves as it climbs the charts.

It’s hard to believe Aldean almost gave up on country music just a few years back.

Aldean started singing young and ran the club scene in his home state of Georgia, where he came from a town with a long line of celebrity lineage.

“The Allman Brothers, Otis Redding, Little Richard,” Aldean said of his predecessors in Macon. “(It’s) a music town. You grow up there and you can’t help but be influenced.”

He took his influences to Nashville in 1998, where he spent years honing his skills and trying to make it. A month after moving to the Music City, he inked a deal with a record company, but he was dropped soon after. The same thing happened again in 2000. After a few more years of struggle, he started to think it just wasn’t for him.

“Once I got to Nashville, I got married and had kids,” the father of two said. “I wanted to be a responsible father, and things didn’t look promising.”

He had accepted a job back in Georgia, but landed a deal with Broken Bow Records just before he left. Today, Aldean finds himself as one of the household names of country and touring with a country music legend.

“When I was coming up in the clubs, I was playing a lot of his stuff,” he said of McGraw. “Tim’s been great. He’s a guy’s guy, and we hang out during the day.”

Amidst hectic schedules, Aldean said he and McGraw shoot hoops to “keep from going crazy” on the tour bus.

“Tim and I play basketball for about two to three hours a day,” he said. “And when I’m touring on my own, I play golf about three or four days a week.”

After finishing up the tour with McGraw, Aldean will play a few shows with friend Miranda Lambert in addition to headlining various festivals, fairs and clubs. When asked if he would organize a major tour as a headliner, his wisdom cut through the Georgian diction.

“I think when the time is right, we’ll do that,” Aldean said. “But we want to make sure we can carry (a headlining tour) ourselves before.”

And so, Aldean continues on his path to country stardom, gaining respect and pocketing hits along the way. When asked if he was looking forward to relaxing after the tour and taking a break from the studio, he quickly interjected.

“Oh, no, we already have seven songs cut for the next album,” Aldean said.

Surprise, surprise.



IF YOU GO

* WHAT: Tim McGraw with special guests Jason Aldean and Halfway to Hazard

* WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday

* WHERE: Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, 9993 Alleghany Road, Darien Center.

* MORE INFORMATION: Call (585) 599-5040 or visit darienlakeconcerts.com