Jason Aldean became one of the most successful country acts of his generation, and the singer is shouting out a few newer acts that he thinks have the longevity to stick it out in country music. In a new interview with the Los Angeles Times, Aldean was asked about a generational shift in country music and whether that’s difficult for him to go through, to which the singer responded that it isn’t anything that hasn’t happened before.
“Just kind of comes with the territory. But here we, 18 years in, just came off of selling out a tour. So I don’t think about it in terms of getting phased out.”
Jason Aldean Praises Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs And Parker McCollum
Aldean also praised younger artists like Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs and Parker McCollum.
“I love the guys that are coming up — Morgan and Luke and Parker McCollum. It’s a great crop of young artists that I think are gonna carry the torch for a long time,” he said. “At some point, the fans will tell us, ‘OK, your days at country radio are over.’ But I don’t see it happening anytime in the next couple of years.”
When asked about the prevalence of white male artists in country music, Aldean opined that he thinks talent wins out.
“I like to think that if you’re a talented artist and your songs are good, and you’re a great performer, then somebody’s gonna give you a chance, whether you’re a guy, a female, a duo, a band, whatever,” he said. “Male artists seem to have dominated the genre a little bit over the last however many years. But you also have some great female acts: Carrie [Underwood] and Miranda [Lambert], and Carly Pearce is coming up now.”
Jokes That He Hopes To Catch Up To Luke Bryan’s 30 No. 1 Hits
As for Aldean, he recently earned his 28th country radio No. 1 with his song “Try That in a Small Town” which also became Aldean’s first-ever No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 after its controversial music video increased the song’s popularity. When asked if topping the chart ever gets old, Aldean responded in the negative.
“No. This many years into my career and the fact that people still seem to be into what we’re doing — it’s a good feeling,” he said. “Plus, Luke Bryan likes to hold it over my head that he’s got two more than I got. I’m trying to catch him.”
Jason Aldean’s Highway Desperado Tour Information
The tour Aldean mentioned is his Highway Desperado Tour, which he recently extended into 2024. The new run will begin in May and wrap up on October 5 with a show in Aldean’s hometown of Macon, Georgia. Hailey Whitters and Lauren Alaina will support in select cities, while Chase Matthew, Austin Snell and Dee Jay Silver will join all dates.
The Highway Desperado Tour ended up serving as the inspiration for the name of Aldean’s latest album, Highway Desperado, released in November. “I think when I look back on it, I built my career early on my live show, and have been on the road touring since I was 18 years old,” the country hitmaker previously said in a statement. “For us, touring is our favorite part. Getting on the bus and going town to town and playing our shows and doing our thing and seeing the fans… the title for the tour and album was really inspired from that.”
Along with “Try That in a Small Town,” Highway Desperado also contains Aldean’s latest single, “Let Your Boys Be Country.”
