Jason Aldean Biography

Jason Aldean, singer

Birthdate: February 28, 1977

Birthplace: Macon, Georgia

Sign: Pisces

Country music singer Jason Aldean came to fame in 2005 with his first single "Hicktown." He has also recorded two albums on the independent Broken Bow Records label -- his 2005 album Jason Aldean and his 2007 album Relentless. Both albums were certified platinum and gold.

Jason's two albums gave the Georgia born singer a total of six singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including the No. 1 hit "Why."

The singer was born as Jason Aldine Williams on February 28, 1977 in Macon, Georgia. His parents, Barry and Debbie, divorced when he was three and he was raised by his mother in Macon. During the summer, however, he would spend time with his father in Florida, and before going to work during the day his dad would map out guitar chords on notebook paper to show Jason where to place his fingers to play the chords. Jason would practice during the day and when his dad got home the two would play together. Jason learned quickly and his early favorites included George Strait's "The Cowboy Rides Away," Hank Williams Jr.'s "The Blues Man," and Alabama's "My Home's in Alabama."

Jason said since the age of 14 he would watch the country-music awards on TV and it made him want to perform on stage. With help from his mother, Jason performed at the local VFW hall in Macon singing John Anderson's song "Seminole Wind" and Tracy Lawrence's "Sticks and Stones." As he recalls it, when the entire audience - all ten - applauded, he almost had to be dragged off the stage because he was hooked on performing.

Following his "love for the stage," Jason began performing at area talent contests and local fairs. At 15, he joined the "house band" at the Macon nightspot Nashville South.

Jason moved to Nashville when he was 21 and faced the struggle of finding a recording contract. Several deals came and went, until he was discovered at The Wildhorse Saloon by Lawrence Mathis.

Mathis became Jason's agent and signed him with Broken Bow Records in Nashville. His first single "Hicktown" was released in 2005 and it peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. "Hicktown" was on his first album Jason Aldean, which also produced his first No. 1 hit "Why" and the No. 4 peaking song "Amarillo Sky."

Jason married his high school sweetheart, Jessica Ussery, on August 4, 2001. The couple are parents to two daughters, Keeley, born February 14, 2003, and Kendyl, who was born August 20, 2007.