Aaron Tippin and Veteran’s Day - a perfect fit

Perfect match.

Aaron Tippin is the son of an Air Force veteran. The majority of his country songs are rife with Americana, and he’sperformed frequently for American troops abroad.
So when Tippin appears at Freedom Hall in Johnson City on Veteran’s Day Nov. 11 for Freedom Celebration Concert, call it a match well made.
“I hope it speaks about who I am and what I’m about,” Tippin said last week by phone from his home outside Nashville, Tenn. “Just listen to “Workin’ Man’s PHD.’ ”

Tippin’s career features multitudes of such songs that highlight his love of country and its ideals. Perhaps most tellingly, the country singer’s signature song “You’ve got to Stand for Something” encases within three minutes his stances.

“I’m not the guy who writes the latest greatest love songs,” Tippin said. “I record what my fans want. I’m more recognizable in bib overalls than a tuxedo. I’m the guy on the next 40 (acres).”

Call Tippin a sleeves up and sweat on the brow country singer. He pilots his own airplane, makes his own wine, farms his own land and so on.
“I’m the mister-do-it-yourself,” he said.

That now extends to his career in music. Tippin made his name during the early 1990s while recording with RCA Records. He then moved to Disney-owned Lyric Street Records for a couple of albums in the early 2000s.

“You have to fit into the plan with major labels and when you don’t they put you back in the stable,” Tippin said. “That’ll never change.”
So Tippin said adios to major labels and for nearly five years now, he records albums on his own.

“It’s so much more relaxed. We’re not a racehorse,” Tippin said. “We find something we’re passionate about and let it rock.”

Prime example his latest album, “In Overdrive,” which is an album of truck driving songs. Featured therein are covers such as Jerry Reed’s “East Bound and Down” and even Cledus Maggard’s “The White Knight.”

“I could never have done this on a major label,” Tippin said. “We try to do real music. I let it be what it’s going to be. The songs I do, it’s about life.”

Tippin sure seems to live a varied life that includes yet isn’t dominated by music. While he records and produces his and his wife Thea’s albums, he also maintains a vigorous love of outdoors that includes hunting and fishing and flying his airplane.

“He served in the Air Force, teaching cadets in Bainbridge, Ga.,” Tippin said. “He taught me how to fly. Flying is a Tippin tradition. I flew professionally.”

Pack all of the above together. Tippin’s love of country has led him to travel overseas numerous times to perform for American soldiers. So no surprise at all that he can typically be found on stage on Veteran’s Day.

And just so happens that this Veteran’s Day he will sing in Johnson City.

“Oh man, that’s a big deal for me,” Tippin said of performing on Veteran’s Day. “You say the word vets and you have me cornered.”

Now, this show will feature a twist and a treat tied into one for fans of Tippin.

“It’s the first time I’ve done an acoustic thing like this. It’ll be just me and another player,” he said. “I’ve probably done 25 to 30 shows with just me and a guitar, but those were out in the battlefield.”

Meanwhile back home on the Tippin homeplace, a heat pump needed his attention. As he walked from his house to address the problem, he paused to put his life into perspective.

  “I’ve been a lucky guy,” Tippin said. “I have my family and if you have your health, that’s pretty much all you need. I work my land as best I can. I feel pretty blessed.”

IF YOU GO
What: Freedom Celebration Concert
Who: Aaron Tippin and James Rogers
When: Nov. 11, 7 p.m.
Where: Freedom Hall, 1320 Pactolas Rd., Johnson City
Admission: Free; donations to the Veterans’ Memorial will be accepted
Info: (423) 461-4884
Web, audio and video: http://aarontippin.musiccitynetworks.com/

TOM NETHERLAND is a freelance writer. He can be reached at .