Despite being sick, and despite having spent the earlier part of the day at Disneyland with his family, Aaron Watson turned in a performance at the House of Blues in Anaheim Friday night (April 19th) that was second to none.
"We went on EVERY ride," Aaron said about the family excursion to the happiest place on earth, and regarding the prescription his doctor gave him for his illness, Aaron recounted the instructions on the medicine, "Do not mix this drug with alcohol, or you will vomit profusely," and noted it was the word "profusely" that really got to him.
The concert at times had a festival feel to it, with women lifted up on their boyfriends' shoulders (until security put a stop to it), couples who somehow found space to dance along the sidelines, and families who brought their kids, and wound up being invited to watch the show from the stage. One little boy even brought a sign that read, "Aaron, I wanted you to be my first concert." He gave red bandanas (promoting his forthcoming album) to a couple of little girls in the crowd, even gently tying the souvenirs around their necks.
His set included the energetic "These Old Boots Have Roots," and "Freight Train," along with the poignant "Raise Your Bottle" (written in honor of his father and dedicated to the military), and the suggestive "Run Wild Horses."
Before "July in Cheyenne," he recounted the untimely death of his own daughter Julia Grace, and the comfort he received from Elsie Frost, mother of the late bull rider Lane Frost, who reminded him that her son's greatest achievement did not come from the rodeo, but rather his faith. "I just be real," Aaron softly shared before the show when asked about his calling to help people with his performances. "I guess I've been through enough that hopefully I can help someone else."
Acoustic versions of "Bluebonnets" and "Fence Post" brought an intimate feel to the show," and his latest single, "Kiss That Girl Goodbye" indicates good things to come on the Red Bandana album.
"Twenty years into this, we have never signed a record deal," he noted before his big national hit, "Outta Style." "We don't need one, because we have you!"
After the show, Aaron invited all the kids and anyone who pre-ordered Red Bandana to join him for a meet-and-greet.
Update: More pre-sales for the new album were sold at this show than at any other date on Aaron's current tour.
Setlist:
1. These Old Boots Have Roots
2. Freight Train
3. Real Good Time
4. That Look
5. Kiss That Girl Goodbye
6. Raise Your Bottle
7. That's Why God Loves Cowboys
8. Take You Home Tonight
9. Getaway Truck
10. Run Wild Horses
11. July In Cheyenne
12. Fence Post / Vaquero
13. Bluebonnets
14. Medley
15. Outta Style
