Jason Aldean Looks Back on 19 Years: ‘What a Wild Ride It’s Been’

Photo byCourtesy of BBR / Brian Higbee

Jason Aldean has had almost two decades of success in country music. The Georgia native’s eponymous freshman album was released on July 26, 2005, which included his debut single, “Hicktown,” reaching the Top 10, and his first No. 1 hit with its follow-up single, “Why.”

Aldean celebrated the milestone on social media.

“My first album dropped 19 years ago yesterday and what a wild ride it’s been,” Aldean wrote over the weekend. “This album and this song changed my life forever. I appreciate [you] guys accepting this kid from Georgia back in 2005 and bearing with me while I figured this whole thing out. Thank you for the last two decades! It has been a dream come true for me, my family and my crew. Not a day goes by that I’m not grateful for everything you guys have given us. Much love and thanks for the ride!”

Aldean has hinted he has a lot of new music coming soon, but it isn’t his only priority. The 47-year-old, whose Highway Desperado album was released in 2023, says his most important job right now is being a father to his four children.

“Patience is the key,” Aldean recently told Audacy. “I love being a parent. It’s so fun. It’s exhausting. It’s all those things. But at the end of the day, it’s the coolest thing you’ll ever do. I hear people say this a lot, but the days are long and the years are short, and that’s really true. Especially when they’re little, you’re just trying to get through the day. ‘Okay, I kept them alive for the whole day. We’re getting somewhere.’”

Aldean has two daughters, Keeley and Kendyl, with his first wife, Jessica, and a son, Memphis, and daughter, Navy, with his current wife, Brittany

“My son just turned six, my daughter turned five,” Aldean shares. “It seems like yesterday we were bringing them home from the hospital. It goes by fast. Just hang in there. It gets better. The no-sleeping thing was the worst part for me. I love to sleep, so sleeping in two-hour increments was not fun.”

Aldean just dropped a brand-new song, “Whiskey Drink,” from Highway Desperado. He also just released “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” in tribute to the late Toby Keith., who passed away on February 5 from stomach cancer. Aldean performed the song at the ACM Awards, releasing his version after the performance, with the blessing of Keith’s family.

“His wife called me that night and thanked me, kind of gave it her stamp of approval from her and the family, which was the icing on the cake for me,” Aldean recalled on Audacy’s Rob + Holly. “I was glad I got a chance to be a part of it and honor him and I’m glad that his family and everybody approved.”

Keith was a mentor and close friend for Aldean, which made the live performance even more challenging for him.

“It was cool to be able to do it, but it was equally sad at the same time, sort of saying goodbye to somebody who was that legendary in our business,” Aldean shares. “His family was sitting in front of me and I looked down at his family I think once and I was like, ‘Nope! Can’t do that.’ You can tell they’re still hurting, and it’s something they may never get over. It was tough to see, but I’m glad they liked the way we honored him and approved of it. That meant everything.”

Aldean is currently on his Highway Desperado Tour. Download or stream Aldean’s version of “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” here. Find “Whiskey Drink” and all of Aldean’s music and upcoming shows at JasonAldean.com.