Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Tanner.
Hi Aaron, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born into a musical family and started singing almost as soon as I could talk. I also began playing the guitar at age 12 and started writing songs at around 14.
When I was younger, I played in my family’s Southern Gospel band, and then in my 20s, I played in a Southern/Bluegrass Gospel band with my and my wife’s siblings. It wasn’t until around 2019 that I started seriously pursuing my own music.
My musical influences include country legends such as Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Ricky Skaggs, and the list goes on; however, my single greatest musical influence is Randy Travis.
I had heard Randy Travis before, but I remember getting a copy of his “Inspirational Journey” album about the time I really started playing, singing, and writing, when I was maybe 12 or 13 and playing it until my CD wouldn’t play it anymore, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I don’t guess the music side of things has been too bad. It’s been kinda what you would expect starting out. Sometimes getting bookings can be tough. Most of the time it’s just people not getting back to you for some reason or another.
I do remember that things had started to gain some momentum about the time that COVID hit and then the whole music industry kinda died for a while. However, lately, I’ve made it a point to be more persistent in making bookings happen, and it has paid off.
I made a personal goal to book at least 2 shows per week every week, and I have met or exceeded that goal ever since I set it, so you could say things are looking up. On the other hand, balancing family life with a full-time job, and traveling to shows, band practice, writing, and studio recording can be a challenge.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
When it comes to my music, it is different than most.
I grew up as the son of a pastor, but I also grew up in the 90s when artists like Randy Travis, Alan Jackson, and George Strait ruled the airwaves, so I guess when those two worlds collide you get me. I describe my own music as “Too Country for Church, and too Christian for the Bar”.
I even wrote a song about it of the same name. I try to write songs that are Country to the core but deliver a positive Christian message without being preachy. I also write songs that are real and relatable.
I’ve been told by music publishers and such that my songs are too personal and specific, but I’ve found that when you write about yourself you are really writing about the human experience as a whole, and there are more people than you would think that can connect to your songs on some level.
I guess you could say that pride myself in not being a “cookie-cutter” songwriter, and not writing the same old cliches as mainstream music.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Find a mentor that is wiser and more experienced than you, but make sure it is someone that you can trust.
Any business has its crooks, but the music business is notorious for it, so finding someone who can guide you through it is invaluable.
When it comes to networking that is actually an area that I probably lack, but I have found that if you just hang around like-minded people in your field eventually it will pay off.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aarontannermusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/aaron_tanner_music/
- Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/aaron_tanner_music/
Image Credits
Evan Reikhoff Photography
