NYCS First Impression: Aaron Watson ‘Live at the World’s Biggest Rodeo Show’

Aaron Watson is lending a helping hand to his fellow Texans with his upcoming album, Aaron Watson Live at the World’s Biggest Rodeo Show. Today, Aug. 24, marks the one year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey hitting south Texas. Impacting the singer-songwriter’s friends and fans, he was determined to make a difference by raising money for the relief.

The Category 4 storm caused over $125 billion in damage and impacted 13 million people. Watson is donating $1.41 from each album sold that will benefit the Rebuild Texas Fund, in recognition of the widespread devastation across the Lone Star state. The Rebuild Texas Fund works alongside organizations within the impacted communities that are working towards economic development; health; housing; education and childcare; transportation and workforce; and capital for rebuilding small businesses in the areas that were hit the hardest.

This live album was recorded during the Houston Rodeo, in front of 65,000 fans on opening night. The album includes 13 songs from Watson’s previous albums, including “These Old Boots Have Roots”, “That’s Why God Loves Cowboys”, and his hit song “Outta Style”.  It also includes the acoustic bonus track, “Higher Ground,” which he wrote while Hurricane Harvey was destroying his home state. “Seeing that on the news and the people there struggling to escape, rescue each other and recover was the inspiration for writing the song ‘Higher Ground,” he says in a recent press release.  We hosted Waston and his band at Opry City Stage earlier this year on Texas Independence Day. Check out the Live Swag Session below.

“We had planned on releasing this album in the second half of 2017, but after the storm, it just didn’t feel right,” he commented.  “I’ve always wanted my music to do good in the world and it became clear that there was a real opportunity to hold onto this project and release it on the one year anniversary of the hurricane. So much of my home state of Texas was affected. Hopefully, by bringing the recovery efforts back to the forefront, it will remind people that there is still so much work left to do. I’m also extremely proud to partner with the Rebuild Texas Fund, which makes sure every dollar goes back into the local communities, and help them raise money by donating a portion of the live album sales.”

Aaron Watson Performs Live At Rodeo Houston Photo credit: Bradford Coolidge

Watson will play a special Houston-area show with Gary Allan tonight at the Smart Financial Centre.  Aaron Watson Live at the World’s Biggest Rodeo Show track listing is listed below.

1. “These Old Boots Have Roots” (Aaron Watson)
2. “Freight Train” (Aaron Watson, Troy Olsen, Tim Nichols)
3. “Real Good Time” (Aaron Watson)
4. “Raise Your Bottle” (Aaron Watson)
5. “That’s Why God Loves Cowboys” (Aaron Watson, Troy Olsen, Sarah Buxton)
6. “That Look” (Aaron Watson)
7. “Outta Style” (Aaron Watson)
8. “Bluebonnets” (Julia’s Song) (Aaron Watson)
9. “They Don’t Make Em Like They Use To” (Aaron Watson)
10. “Fence Post” (Aaron Watson)
11. “Wildfire” (John Mayer)
12. “Getaway Truck” (Aaron Watson)
13. “July in Cheyenne” (Song for Lane’s Momma) (Aaron Watson)

14. “Higher Ground” (Acoustic Bonus Track) (Aaron Watson)