The album that started it all…
On July 26th, 2005, Jason Aldean officially introduced himself to the Country music world.
Sure, his debut single, “Hicktown,” was released a few months earlier, but when your first impression with Country music listeners is something loud and rockin’ that they may not be completely custom to, you gotta wonder (for good or for bad) what else does this artist have to offer?
Aldean completely switched gears and showed off his softer side in his second single (and first No. 1 of his career), “Why.” The mid-tempo is pretty much an apology ballad where Aldean finally comes to the realization that he should stop treating the girl he loves poorly.
The third and final single off of Jason’s debut record was “Amarillo Sky.” While the song only reached No. 4 on the U.S. Hot Country Songs chart, it earned Aldean two nominations at the ’06 Academy of Country Music Awards for Video of the Year and Song of the Year, as well as video with the best direction at the CMT Music Awards.
Let’s be honest, the album isn’t one of his most popular but the singles, and even the deep-cuts, are still cherished by Aldean fans (including myself) still to this day.
Among those deep cuts, include a song that was also recorded by Blake Shelton in 2003 but never released as a single to Country radio by either artist, “Asphalt Cowboy.” Speaking of deep cuts, the best one here may be “Even If I Wanted To,” another self-reflecting ballad, written by Aldean himself, along with Justin Weaver, that shows off his softer side.
Listen to a few tracks off the album here: