For all the good things that have come Aaron Pritchett’s way the past few years, for all the accolades and awards, the airplay, the video play and the fans showing up everywhere he goes; for all that and the mere fact he can make a living at this music thing, he takes none of it for granted.
And it’s for all that he decided to call his new, fourth album Thankful. It’s the best thing he’s ever done, he thinks, and he’s right. It is. But there’s more than a touch of angel-dust serendipity that gives it life.
The exponential growth of Pritchett’s career is the result of a lot of solid planning and arduous work. He’s tenacious as a pit bull, is Aaron. But there was a time, and not so long ago, when he’d actually quit the business. Kaput. Outta here.
“Believe me, I was done,” he says. “We were still playing clubs but I couldn’t make any money and that’s not where I saw my future; my future was touring as a major act through Canada and hopefully into the States. I said in October 2003, if it’s still like this by December I’m quitting as of the first of January. So we were done.
“And the next day, January 2nd 2004, the video for “New Frontier” went to number one and I got all these bookings coming in literally that week. From that moment everything changed.”
And like spring follows winter, the nominations and awards started coming in too. He and the band were knocking audiences out from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island, slamming it every night, and by now it was a question of maintaining the momentum.
Big Wheel, the third album after Somethin’ Goin’ On – home of “New Frontier” – and the debut Consider This, managed that superlatively. From the title “Big Wheel” and “Done You Wrong” to the rabble-rousing, suds-spilling, barroom anthem and the Canadian Country Music Association’s SOCAN Song Of The Year, “Hold My Beer”, Pritchett and Big Wheel had kicked down the barn door.
Now with Thankful he’s taking the time to pause and take stock a bit, smell the roses. “Yeah, it’s reflective,” he says, “a little more introspective. Instead of worrying about writing another “Big Wheel” I needed to write something more reflective on my life and me as a person. And I didn’t put the pressure on myself, I wanted to write because I wanted to, not because I needed to.”
There’s the lush, panoramic testament to the power of love in “After The Rain”, the anthemic, exhilarating “How Do I Get There” with a put-the-top-down rhythm like a set of all season radials rolling fast and hard down a ribbon of blacktop while the declarative “Unravelling” is the heartland tune Bob Seger or Mellencamp would have pounded their chests and thanked the Song Gods for.
Then there’s “Hell Bent For Buffalo”, the hard rolling tale of the guy driving his rig through a winter squall to get to his lover. “Hard To Miss” is about the head turning beauty the protagonist can’t get over. “Nothing But Us” is the paean to shutting the front door on the world and unplugging for a while. On the flip side, we all know “Let’s Get Rowdy”, the call to party arms for all the college girls and cowboys.
The sound on Thankful is rich and driving, immediately infectious, thanks to the collective production efforts of The Franchise: Aaron himself, his guitarist/sidekick/strategist Mitch Merrett, multi-instrumentalist Mike Norman and studio wiz Dean Maher who has shared control rooms with everybody from Bryan Adams and Michael Buble to AC/DC. Now there’s a team to make a great record.
But none of it would matter without the fans to embrace it, to make it part of their lives. That’s the point that has been driven home continually for Aaron Pritchett one electrifying performance after another ever since that pivotal January 2nd just a few years ago. And he hasn’t forgotten.
“It sounds so corny sometimes but it’s honestly true,” he says quietly. “The help of fans wanting us to play and coming to see the shows is what’s kept me in the industry. This album really is a tribute to them. If I didn’t have them I wouldn’t have anything. I really am extremely thankful.”
Hey you, just stopping by to say Hi! and inquire as to when you might be playing in Kamloops. Would love to see you perform in person again. Your music is so rejuvenating, just want dance and party to your sound. Patricia
Hey, can't wait to see you guys here in Winnipeg @ Whiskey Dix.I saw you at the Steinbach CountryFest(which was awesome) Thanks for thinking of us hicks and country folks.
Hey, would you be able to post the link to your Facebook page? If you're allowing fans to be on your friends' list.My friend Lisa and I will see you here in Winnipeg.Hope you have fun!!
It has been awhile since I last saw you in Wetaskiwin, but I hear you on the radio quite frequently. I'm glad your music is doing well. Have you heard the new song I did with Jack Greene and 16 other singers around the globe? It is called Let's Just Try, and you can hear the song at www.letsjusttry.info if you have a spare moment. Are you playing Nashville North at the Calgary Stampede again this year? I caught a bit of your show there last year, and it was great!
I love your song "Done You Wrong". I watched that video on CMT and it was quite an eye opener for myself. I love your music and you are very inspiring!
You are AWESOME!!! Thank you so much for being a friend!!! Hope you had a Happy 4th of July!!!!! God Bless America!!!!!
Wrapped Up In Me is #38 on the New Music Weekly Country Main Chart!!!! I am also #18 on the top 30 Indie Chart this week!!! It is on radio stations across the nation, you can request it now!!!!! Also, If you are around Friday August 28th I'll be having a big show at Tumbleweed Texas in Houston Texas I really hope to see you there!!! Love ~Susan www.susanhickman.com
Hey there Aaron,looks like youre runnin as usual.Remember if youre ever back in Harrison Hot Springs, drop a line and we,ll fire up the Pontoon party boat and go for a float! Have a great summer Aaron, wife & I look forward to catching youre show next time youre close to home! Chow fer now Todd & Sylvia.
Hey I just wanted to say hello. .I hope alls well Stop in check out a song or video and leave me a comment. Next Show April 4th at The Carolina Entertainment Complex in Marion SC Tickets just $10 plus taxes and fees Camping Availible For Tickets Goto www.entertaincarolina.com or call 843-423-0077 I'm 22th in the Myspace Country Charts!! Drop me a line anytime. Jeff
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