Make plans to see Aaron Watson with special guest, Bryce Leatherwood on Tuesday, July 15th at the Boone County Fairgrounds! Gates open around 6:00pm with the show starting at 7:00pm. Beer garden opens at 5pm.

Ticket Prices: Pit tickets $45 Grandstand $25 • Online Ticket Sales Open Dec. 2 at 8am

Headliner - Aaron Watson

Aaron Watson is a man forever looking to the horizon. Where other artists might rest on their laurels, he consistently presses onward to the next frontier, cutting through lazy industry wisdom in favor of success won on his own terms. He is the first independent male country artist ever to debut an album at No. 1 on the Billboard Country chart, a feat recognized in the Country Music Hall of Fame. He has earned a litany of prestigious awards, hundreds of millions of streams on his music, shared the stage with country music legends Willie Nelson and Alan Jackson, and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for multiple charities. This next chapter of his trailblazing career sees him deep in the weeds on two projects: the first, an album of covers dedicated to his daughter; the second, a 2024-slated album of originals that promises to be his most daring and audacious release to date. “My goal is to put out the best country album in all of country music in 2024,” he says simply, “It sounds crazy, but then pretty much everything I’ve done sounded crazy until I did it.”

Watson hails from Amarillo in West Texas and began writing songs whilst still in high school. He began performing in college, eventually forming a band and developing a loyal following. Despite being approached by major labels, Watson chose the road less traveled and released his work independently. This turned out to be the right call when his album “Real Good Time” charted in the top ten nationwide on Country Billboard. An unheard of feat at the time. With the taste of success fresh on his lips, Watson pushed onward and created “Underdog” which became the first Country album released independently to chart at number one. “People told us that it had never been done. It was impossible. I don’t put so much stock in that word anymore.”

Success built upon success with Watson’s follow up albums. However, 2020 heralded a slow down for the artist by way of the COVID-19 pandemic and an unexpected vocal cord surgery. “That time out reminded me what a blessing this is. To get to do what I love, sing the songs that I write and have people sing them along with me.” Watson was keen to get back to his fans, and to make them feel like a part of the family more than ever before.

Aaron Watson is nothing if not audacious, and his promise to fans that his next album of originals will be the best Country album of 2024 stands firm. By his own admission, the songs are, by-and-large, completed, yet Watson continues to push himself to make them better. "I love every second of what I get to do, but if making music is a marathon (and it is), I want to collapse to the ground the second after I cross the finish line. Nothing left to give." Aaron Watson is a man constantly reaffirming his dedication to the craft of songwriting, and it is this commitment to quality and treating his fans with respect that has proved him, time and again, to be the living North Star for country music’s free and indomitable spirit.

Special Guest - Bryce Leatherwood

Singer/songwriter Bryce Leatherwood aims to carry the torch of country music and continue the legacy of legendsprior. Born and raised in Woodstock, GA, his passion for music began at an early age. Working on his grandfather’sfarm every summer, Leatherwood was exposed to the classic country hits of George Jones, Merle Haggard andConway Twitty. Soon thereafter he began picking up guitars and playing the traditional country music that inspireshim today. Leatherwood’s music career began to blossom in Statesboro, GA, where he attended Georgia SouthernUniversity. During his time in Statesboro, Leatherwood played college venues and continued to grow his stagepresence and his country music repertoire. While in college, Leatherwood formed his band and began playing allaround the Southeast. Bryce’s goal was to take the stage and play the best of country music to all ages andaudiences. Just weeks after graduating college, Bryce set his mind on a new task.

In 2022, Leatherwood competed on the NBC hit television showThe Voice and was crowned the Season 22 winner in December. Following his success, Leatherwood moved to Nashville where he has been songwriting and recording for a forthcoming project on Universal Music Group Nashville/Republic Records, the first of which is "The Finger," out now. Leatherwood continues to perform live shows, including opening several tour dates for Dwight Yoakum. Online at www.bryceleatherwood.com.