Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron McDonnell.
Hi Aaron, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am originally from a little town in Oregon called Independence (claim to fame – the end of the Oregon trail!). I went to University of Oregon after high school and started working at Costco. After graduation, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do so I moved to Seattle and started working at the Corporate office. I worked there for a total of 13 years all the while having bands on the side and living a double life – a corporate guy during the day and a wannabe musician by night and on the weekends. My wife and I met when she joined my band The Grandtours in Seattle in 2011. We had tumultuous couple of years as I tried to find myself and also steal her from her boyfriend. Before I met her, I started going to Austin every year for SXSW and was enamored by it right away. She is originally from the Houston area so after we got married in December of 2013, we moved to Texas so I could pursue music full time. I’ve been working on growing my career since then and have had steady growth over the years releasing three EPs, obtaining sponsorships, positive media attention, a manager, booking agent, completing a tour of Ireland & the UK, and establishing an amazing band. I also signed with Feels So Good Records in Austin in 2021 and will be releasing my first full-length album with them in February. Oh, and I make a living wage!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I think the hardest thing is staying focused and motivated in the midst of wanting to be further along than I am. Longing for big festival stages, a huge fan base, tour bus, etc. while having to learn lame covers to play at some wedding (although they do pay well!). I’m working on enjoying the present and learning to embrace the journey knowing everything is falling into place as it should.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Most of the solo stuff I have released leans toward more traditional country music while having some elements of rock and Americana. We are known around Texas as being a good two-step band, so the dancers tend to dig us quite a bit. I’m told my voice is what sets our sound apart. At this point, I’m probably most proud of the record we are about to release. It’s a bit of a departure from that traditional sound, which is the direction I’d like to continue going in 2022. As much as I love traditional country, it can be stifling sometimes to continually stay in that box. I’d like to create more freely as my career progresses.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
My songwriting started when I was probably the only kid in 6th grade who enjoyed when the teacher made us write poetry (haha).
Contact Info:
- Email: aaronjmcdonnell@gmail.com
- Website: aaronmcdonnell.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/honkytonkaaron
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ajm1455
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mcdonnellaaron
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbVUcwo4Y90lkC1FA_V6mFw
Image Credits:
https://www.instagram.com/erynbrooke https://www.instagram.com/littlemanatx
