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Community Heroes Series
From the October 2003 issue of Alabama Living magazine
Article by Kay Marshall
Country Music...
It seems like it's been around forever. But it hasn't. The roots
of this folksy genre are relatively young, but the sounds and songs
touch all of us, even those without a passion for it with something
old and familiar. Like a friendly dog that wags its tail and shows
us love and understanding regardless of the current woes we face,
such is the way of a country music song. We've all heard the songs
whether it's tearful or foot-stompin', but it is the singer that
brings the emotions of the music to life, and there is not one emotion
that has not been covered in the lyrics and rhyme of a soulful country
music song.
So where did country music get its start in the hearts of Americans?
According to Bill Hartley, Executive Director of BCMA (Bristol Country
Music Association), it got its start right smack in the middle of
Bristol, Tennessee.
"In August 1927, Ralph Peer, talent scout for Victor Recording
Company, came to Bristol, Tennessee. He came to record musicians
from the southern Appalachian region for commercial musical records.”
The recording session that transpired has been described as "the
big bang of country music." The Bristol Sessions, by virtue
of recording sessions with Jimmie Rodgers and the original Carter
family, laid the groundwork for what became the country music industry.
“The influence from those first sessions has been felt from
Bristol, around the globe, and many points in between,” explained
Mr. Hartley.
From the 1930's through the 1950's live radio broadcasts in the
region nurtured the music and the artists. These shows led to the
development of bluegrass and contemporary country music.
From small beginnings the country music industry has flourished
and has turned humble people from humble
backgrounds into multi-millionaires. It is a dream that many young
musicians and singers pursue. But, while the lure of success is
strong and undeniable, the real quest for most musicians harks back
to the very core of what country music is truly all about... Simply
put, there is a story to be told and feelings to be shared; there
is music to play and songs to sing; there is heartbreak and anger,
joy and cajolery and the desire to communicate these emotions with
others.
That is why they play and sing.
A story from the heart
Born in the Bicentennial year in Amory, Mississippi, Tim Aaron was
raised in nearby Vernon, Alabama. Traumatized and left motherless
at an early age, Tim found solace in the soothing melodies he heard
on the radio; songs of lost love, desire, anger and disappointment,
hope and longing and of strength. He began to pour his feelings
into song lyrics, musical compositions, and poetry and Tim dreamed
of a day when he might have an opportunity to share them with others.
“My Grandmother Harris was a real big influence on me when
I was growing up,” said Tim. “She told me how my mother
played the piano and the guitar… well, basically she played
anything she picked up, and that encouraged me because I knew it
was in my blood. I knew then that I wanted to do the same thing,
but I wanted to take it further than she did,” Tim explained.
During his years at Lamar County High School, Tim’s interest
in music increased, and he excelled in band as a drummer and eventually
as the band’s drum-major. As he continued to compose songs
and lyrics, Tim knew, instictively that he could actually write.
"I have a lot of things to say so I kept on writing my thoughts
and feelings down. When I put together what I hear in my head and
it comes off smoothly in music, well, it's just the greatest feeling
in the world!,” he said enthusiastically.
Music is all emotion, according to Tim, and it is a great way to
meditate about life. "I've always loved music of any type,
and every time something bad happens I can listen to music and it
calms me,” he said.
Tim worked on his dream in relative obscurity while he labored at
his job and settled into the life of a family man.
Although he married young, Tim defines his marriage in terms of
gratitude. “When talking about goals in life, I guess I’m
the type of guy that just wanted a normal life and a happy home,”
Tim shared. “I'd have to say that settling down and having
kids was one of the real good events in my life. It is the normal
life that I've prayed for so much as a kid.”
Encouragment... and a bit of luck
His inspiration comes close to his home and heart as he wrote one
of his first songs for his wife, Timberly. “After writing the
song for her, I realized then that I could compose good songs just
by istening to my heart. That’s where I get my songs...they
come from my heart,” he said.
When Tim was about twenty years old, he performed music that he
had penned. “I played my song at a songwriters contest in Columbus,
Mississippi and came in second place. It made me feel very good
because the people in the balcony was stompin’, clappin’
and yellin’… I was walkin’ on cloud nine, and I knew
then that this was what I wanted in my life.”
With belief in his own talent, all Tim needed was a bit of luck.
While it’s true that talent will take you a long way, without
a little luck, the opportunity for success is often elusive.
Looking for a lucky break
Acting on his instinct Tim decided that the first thing he had to
do was quit playing with the local band due to the fact that they
played in the same clubs week after week.
“I didn't feel like we were going to go anywhere so I felt
like it was time to go out on my own,” Tim explained.
While working as a mechanic at Price Maintenance in Vernon, Alabama,
Tim worked during the daytime and composed and made demo's of his
music at night.
On a day when Tim was on errands, a group of employees were gathered
during a break and were listening to one of his demo CD’s.
Roger Price, Tim’s employer, walked in, stopped and began to
listen as well. After a while, Roger asked who was singing and found
out it was none other than Tim Aaron, his own mechanic.
“Now, I was the type of guy who was always messing something
up,” Tim explained with a wink, “There I was out on the
road and a guy from work called and told me that I needed to phone
Roger the minute I got home. He didn’t say why. As the day
wore on, I got several more calls like that, and when I got home,
my wife told me, in an urgent voice, that I needed to call Roger
Dale Price right away. All I could think of was that I had really
messed something up and was going to get fired,” he laughed.
As it turned out, Tim’s lucky break had come in the form of
his employer, Roger Price and his wife, Sharon, who offered to help
him get his music career off the ground.
The first thing the Price’s did was take Tim to Nashville
to the Wild Horse Saloon where they entered him in a contest. Tim
sang a song he wrote called Little Angel Smiles. This is a special
song to Tim, written for his niece who suffers from spina bifida,
and for the tireless doctors and nurses at children's hospitals
everywhere.
“I admire the doctors and nurses so much who deal with these
kids,” said Tim. He sang his song that evening in front of
about eight thousand people and walked away as the winner.
“Before investing in my career, the Price’s put me on
a measuring stick that night to see where I measured up. I respect
that a lot, “he said.
 the
Porkchop Express
In 2002, while working under the guidance of the Prices, Tim landed
a record deal with the Dynasty record label and his first CD, Cut
to the Chase, was released. Today Tim works primarily with his band,
The Porkchop Express, whose members are Jeremy Young - Drums, Jeremy
Sparks - Bass, Paul Sheppard - Keyboard, Chad Reeves - Lead Guitarist,
and the legendary Tommy Oliver on Steel Guitar. Together they go
on the road to play and in the studio to record.
His benefactors, the Prices, have provided Tim with proper management
through the capable hands of Johnny Holland of Dutchman Management,
in Muscle Shoals. Tim’s success story, while only beginning,
is certainly underway with a BIG BANG! Most recently Tim opened
for the Charlie Daniels Band and for the great Bocephus, Hank Williams,
Jr. at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame this past September 20th.
Tim Aaron’s music is full of heart and emotion as he sings
and writes of things he loves. His latest CD, All I Wanna
Do, is now available through his website, www.TimAaron.com,
which was developed by the WebTeam at Tombigbee, and is also available
through his management team at 205.695.9804. You won’t want
to miss your chance to hear a star in the making!
Humble is a great word to describe this talented young songwriter.
Maybe that’s due to Tim’s Grandfather Reynolds who gave
him his most cherished advice. "My grandfather told me not
to worry what other people are doing but just do what you need to
do,” recalled Tim. His grandfather asked Tim to do one other
thing with his music and that was to just keep it simple and be
himself. “I used to not be able to play without a band, but
now I think of my grandfather who passed away last year, and I pick
up my guitar and play. I'm just keeping it simple,” he said.
Tim has taken this advice to heart. He has kept it simple by concentrating
on composing because he felt that he could not make a career out
of singing other people's songs but might have a greater chance
at a career in songwriting.
“God's just kind of blessed me from there,” he said softly.
“Like here lately, He's just put His hand on my shoulder and
said… Hey, Timbo, look here!”
Kay Marshall is the Internet
Projects Coordinator and editor for TEC
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