How Jason Aldean Turned Setbacks Into 30 Number One Hits

Long before Jason Aldean became one of the most recognized names in country music, his career began with smalltown grit and determination. As a teenager in Georgia, his mother helped him line up gigs at county fairs and even a local VFW hall, giving him a chance to sharpen his performance skills in front of modest crowds.

When it came time to build a career, Aldean made a small but memorable change. He adjusted the spelling of his middle name, he was born Jason Aldine Williams, to come up with his stage name. That simple tweak would eventually be tied to more than a decade of chart-topping country hits.

His journey, however, was far from smooth. Before he ever released a record, Aldean signed with not one but two record labels, only to be dropped by both before his debut. For many aspiring artists, that kind of setback can mean the end of the road. For Aldean, it was just another obstacle to overcome.

The persistence paid off. When his self-titled debut album finally hit the shelves in 2005, it produced his first number one single and earned him the Academy of Country Music’s award for Top New Male Vocalist. That breakthrough set the stage for one of the most successful runs in modern country music.

Today, Aldean has 30 number one songs to his name, including his recent chart-topper Try That In A Small Town. Nearly two decades after his debut, Jason Aldean continues to make headlines while filling arenas nationwide.