New York, NY -- Country artist Aaron Watson recently made Billboard chart history with 'The Underdog' (2.17.15), becoming the first solo male artist to debut at #1 on the Top Country Albums chart with a self-released, independently distributed studio album.
To celebrate the first #1 album of his career, the road-loving musician has added more tour dates, including a headlining slot at Chris LeDoux Days In LeDoux's hometown of Kaycee, Wyoming.
2015 marks the tenth anniversary of the passing of LeDoux, a larger-than-life cowboy musician who Watson greatly admired. The former professional bareback rider succumbed to liver cancer in 2005.
"We are extremely excited that Aaron Watson has graciously accepted our invitation to perform at Chris Ledoux Days this year," said Chris' widow Peggy Ledoux. "Aaron's music really fits what we're trying to build up here, and we look forward to a great show!" The free, family-friendly affair will close off Main Street, and will be open to all.
Watson will dip down to Key West, Florida to play the prestigious BMI Key West Songwriter Festival, where he'll make appearances on May 6 and 7. He'll then perform his first headlining dates in New York, Washington D.C., and Charlotte, North Carolina.
He also has big plans for his home state of Texas, where he'll play some of his biggest venues to date as the weather heats up and the wildflowers bloom -- including Amarillo's Will Rogers Range Riders Arena and the Bell County Expo Center in Belton.
'The Underdog' is more than just the title of self-made country star Aaron Watson's 12th record; it's his mission statement. Recorded with celebrated producer Keith Stegall (Alan Jackson, George Jones, Zac Brown Band), the album's 14 tracks tell stories of the kind of unsung heroes who defy the odds through hard work and perseverance to reach their dreams.
Watson followed up his unprecedented #1 debut on the Billboard Top Country Chart with a strong second week at #2. He's already scanned a career best of 40,000 units in less than three weeks, and remains a fixture in the Top 5 of the iTunes Country Chart. 'The Underdog' also bowed at #44 on the Billboard Artist Chart, a career milestone for the Lone Star journeyman, who credits his "faith, his family and his fans" for his success.
He's been featured by NPR's Morning Edition, The Guardian, Country Weekly, and The New York Times, who called him "a proud country traditionalist." Rolling Stone says, "He's the kind of country artist you'd take home to mama: a church-going family man whose songs are filled not with AutoTuned vocals and half-lit salutes to Jack Daniel's, but fiddle solos and PG-rated lyrics that sing the praises of truck stop coffee, Frank Sinatra and marital bliss."
He'll make his Grand Ole Opry debut on March 31.
New Aaron Watson Tour Dates:
5/1 - Will Rogers Range Riders Arena - Amarillo, TX
5/6 - BMI Songwriters Festival - Key West, FL
5/7 - BMI Songwriters Festival - Key West, FL
5/13 - Mercury Lounge - New York, NY
5/14 - Club - Washington DC
5/16 - Coyote Joe's - Charlotte, NC
6/11 - The District - Sioux Falls, SD
6/12 - Joe's Bar - Chicago, IL
6/20 - Chris Ledoux Days - Kaycee, WY
6/27 - Austin County Fair - Bellville, TX
7/4 - Gun Barrel City Amphitheater - Gun Barrel City, TX
7/25 - San Angelo Riverstage Amphitheater - San Angelo, TX
7/29 - Dodge City Days - Dodge City, KS
8/7 - York Country Fair - York, NE
8/15 - Jake Jam - Oklahoma City, OK
9/5 - Bell County Expo Center - Belton, TX
For more information, contact Jackie Marushka (jmarushka@shorefire.com) or Jaclyn Carter (jcarter@shorefire.com) at Shore Fire Media, 615.280.5330