With a wide smile and engaging Southern drawl, Aaron Tippin proclaims he’s the “luckiest hillbilly that has ever lived,” and there’s no arguing it. After all he’s been struck by lightning twice and lived to tell, piloted planes with engine failure and even somewhat more miraculously, he’s survived more than three decades in the music business and is still going strong.
Along the way, he’s earned six gold albums and one platinum. He’s released more than 30 singles, including such hits as “You’ve Got to Stand for Something,” “My Blue Angel,” “I Wouldn’t Have it Any Other Way,” “Kiss This,” “Workin’ Man’s Ph. D,” “There Ain’t Nothing Wrong with the Radio” and “Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly,” which was not only a country hit, but top 20 on Billboard’s all genre Hot 100 chart.Of course, luck often plays a role in achieving success in the entertainment industry, but the real driving forces behind Tippin’s achievements are a dedicated work ethic and undeniable talent.
Tippin could easily retire and relax on his farm, but that ain’t his
style. With the resurgence in the popularity of ‘90s country music, Tippin has
never been in more demand. So, what keeps him out there performing after all
his years in the business? “It’s the people I’ve met around the country that
I’ve made friends,” he says. “I look so
forward to going back out there and seeing them again and hanging out. I adore that. It’s fun for me and as long as
it is fun, I’ll keep doing it. That’s what keeps me going is the fact that they
still come after 33 years now. I’m so happy they keep coming.”