Country star looks forward to performing in Pineville again

Aaron Tippin had no interest in the country music business. He wanted to be a professional pilot, like his dad.

“Flying was all I ever wanted to do for a living,” Tippin emphasized. “I was doing my training... when the energy crunch of the late ’70s hit.”

“I was a weekend picker,” he explained. “The next thing I liked best was pickin’.”

So, he decided to try the music business.

More than two decades later, Tippin is still drawing the crowds to his shows.

Did he think his music career would span 21 years?

“Heck no,” he said. “I was lucky. Everyday is a blessing. I’m a lucky guy.

“I’m just thankful to have a good job. I’ve been blessed.”

In 1990, Tippin hit the country music charts with “You've Got To Stand For Something.”

On the success of that song, comedian Bob Hope invited Tippin to appear with him when he toured the Mideast to entertain the troops of Desert Storm. Tippin has been a favorite for America’s fighting forces since.

He’s followed that with hits such as “Where The Stars And Stripes And The Eagle Fly,” “I Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way,” “There Ain’t Nothin’ Wrong With The Radio,” “That’s As Close As I’ll Get To Loving You,” “Kiss This,” among others.

He now flies his own planes, he keeps on his 500-acre farm in Tennessee — complete with runway. He also has his own recording studio and winery on the farm. If that weren’t enough, Tippin is also a competitive bodybuilder.

Tippin believes the secret to continued success in the country music industry is the fans.

“From the first day, make friends with the fans. They’ll never let you down.

“Every show, I sign autographs. I take pictures.”

That is Tippin’s way of showing the fans how much he appreciates their continued support.

“I appreciate them taking the time to come out. I appreciate them spending their money and I try to show that.

“My show is all about a good time. I want the fans to have a good time...

“The show is wide open and all across that stage.”

While he enjoys signing the autographs and posing for pictures, he won’t do it in a thunderstorm.

“If it’s lightning, you don’t want to be around me,” he said. “I’ve been hit twice.

“And, I ain’t ever been alone.”

Once he and a friend were working on a truck and both were struck.

The next time, he and another man were working on a fence. The fence carried the lightning strike and hit both men.

Tippin is looking forward to his return to Pineville and very much enjoys small town concerts.

“It’s right ‘in your face’, real hometown America,” Tippin noted.

“That’s what Aaron Tippin is about — rural America.”

He emphasized his music is about “core America,” working America.

Tippin was raised in the Appalachian mountains of South Carolina.

“I ain’t nothin’ but a hillbilly,” he emphasized.