Interview with Aaron Tippin

Access.FM: Well... welcome back from the uh... the desert.

Aaron Tippin: HAHAH... I’m mighty glad to be home.

Access.FM: Did you get stuck over there somewhere?

Aaron Tippin: Yeah, well when we tried to leave Quatar. That was our last stop. We went to Kurdistan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, then Quatar.

Access.FM: You say Quatar, but I hear it differently on the TV.

Aaron Tippin: Well... that’s because the uppity media guys are trying to say it like the Arabs say it. And maybe it is pronounced differently, but the Americans that I heard were saying Quatar, and the guys that I heard it from differently first, were the media guys. You’re a media guy... am I making you mad?

Access.FM: NO, NO, NO... I’m not the liberal media... I’m more of the ‘fair and balanced, you decide’ reporter.

Aaron Tippin: The Fox Guy...

Access.FM: There ya go... you know... we report, you decide. Well... we’ve got a few things in common... you said your dad was in the Air Force?

Aaron Tippin: Yeah... he sure was.

Access.FM: When did you first learn growing up in the military about the USO?

Aaron Tippin: Bob Hope. Vietnam... watching on TV. When I was born, my dad was getting out of military service. He was a flight instructor at Bainbridge, GA, and he trained T-28’s and T-6’s and T-37’s that was his jet time, and right when I was born, he started getting out. So my first recollection of the USO was Bob Hope. I was watching him onstage and I was a child, and thought... well maybe one of these days I’ll get to play a show with him... and TA DAH...

Access.FM: When you got to Nashville, and your career started out... I think in 1990, you got to go on tour with him, right? How did all of that come about... that you got involved in 1990 on the USO Tour?

Aaron Tippin: “You Got To Stand For Something” had been chosen to be the first single. Then all that stuff happened over in the Gulf, and Bob Hope was going over to entertain the troops. Well, this single seemed to be a pretty good song, and a good message to take to the troops, so they said... Who’s the guy that sings it... you think he’d want to go on a USO show? I said are you kiddin’... So the next thing I know, I’m on a 141 on my way to Rhiad.

Access.FM: Oh my goodness... Saudi Arabia.

Aaron Tippin: Yeah... and it was really cool. Met Bob Hope. All in about a three day span, my world completely turned upside down. I went from being a little, laid-back ‘baccker-chewing’ songwriter, to “Holy Mackerel... what am I doing here?”

Access.FM: Well, you probably were with the only ‘honorary veteran’ that there is in the United States. Bob Hope got that title from Congress, I think... he’s an honorary veteran.

Aaron Tippin: Really? Wow!

Access.FM: Who was on this tour with you, other than Bob Hope?

Aaron Tippin: Ann Jillian... she rode over with us, but you know the Saudi’s or Arabs are pretty funky about girl entertainers. So all of the girls had to end up going to the Gulf, to entertain the Navy. And boy, I know that hurt the Navy’s feelings. They had to take all the girls... crap... no guys!

Aaron Tippin: So Dolores Hope, me, Bob and Johnny Bench were the entertainers allowed onshore.

Access.FM: Were you a little star-struck meeting Bob Hope?

Aaron Tippin: Of Course! I was stunned... I can’t remember the name of the Air Force base in California where we launched from...

Access.FM: Travis... ??

Aaron Tippin: Norton... it is just outside of Los Angeles. Golly, that came to me... it was 12 years ago. Unbelievable. Anyway... we met that morning. They picked me up on a bus in the middle of the night, and started driving up there, and you know, Bob is up there, and I walk in this room where he’s at. Everyone is clamoring to him and hanging around him, and I just kinda stood back at the doughnut table and stayed out of the way to keep from being trampled. He shook a few hands and started moving through the crowd, and he looked up and saw me, and he walked straight to me and stuck out his hand and said “You gotta stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything”. I was just so floored that he had taken enough time to listen to that song, because it was something that he wanted on his show. I was just knocked out with it. So you know, that’s where it started.

Access.FM: Not a bad way to start your career, either...

Aaron Tippin: Right... that’s a pretty good way. And after that, I think I saw one of the marvels of the show-biz industry. I watched him and one writer write that entire show. There was no show when we left the United States, there was no show... just people to do a show. Before we got to Rhiad, him and one writer had written the whole show. Pretty Cool...

Access.FM: You know... you can have a number one song. Look at all of the people who’ve had number one songs, but can never say that they’ve toured with Bob Hope.

Aaron Tippin: Well I’m very proud of that, and of all the stuff that I have personally hung up in my house... I’ve got gold records, platinum records, songwriting awards, blah, blah, blah... my wife puts all that stuff up, bless her heart, and I’m really proud of it, but the stuff that I hung up personally, is stuff I got from Saudi Arabia. And the stuff that I personally put up this time, is the stuff I collected from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kurdistan, and Quatar. That’s what’s important to me... it’s my personal if someone comes to my house, I say... Hey... let me show you this.

Access.FM: I saw the other day and I did not know this, apparently you said that your first tour, was Bob Hope’s last... out of all the many that he’s done.

Aaron Tippin: That’s right. He retired, and I got on.

Access.FM: What is it about the USO... did it make your feelings for the USO and the military stronger, going overseas saying... I need to stay involved with this?

Aaron Tippin: Yeah, I think really. Of course the USO is definitely the liaison between entertainment and the military, but just my support of the military. You know... we’ve done shows here in the States that aren’t just USO shows. They are just our chance to go see the troops. I’ll have to say that I’m very pleased that it has probably transitioned past the USO with me because I went to Saudi... and those Saudi vets remember me. They passed the word, they said... hey that guy’s alright. that Tippin guy, he came to see us. It’s worth something. They befriend ya... and the military doesn’t forget you. I think for me, it has turned into something even bigger than the USO.

Access.FM: Now tell me about this tour. Tell me how this came about and the preparation for it.

Aaron Tippin: Well it was great to start with. How it came about, was... I don’t know... I just started thinking about it. I hadn’t been on a overseas trip in a long time... you know, to go see our troops deployed overseas, and it’s funny that I talked to my booking agent and said... hey man... when is some entertainment going over to Afghanistan to entertain the troops over there? He said... I don’t know, I’ll check on it. So he called the USO and they said... Funny you should call... we’re getting ready to line something up for the holidays, and Aaron’s name is on the list. Do you think he’d like to go to Afghanistan? And,... uh

I was thrilled. It was kind of a mutual thing... I think the stars were aligned.

Access.FM: Did you take your band with you?

Aaron Tippin: Yeah, I got to take the band. We got to set up a stage, and do a real show at the big bases where we could draw a crowd. When those guys and gals find out you’re coming, man they go nuts. They’ll build you a stage, and they want everything to be just right for ya... whatever you need. You get treated like a king. And yes, it may not be the ‘palace’, but you sure get treated good in their tent.

Access.FM: Do you have a specific memory from that trip, or maybe a particular soldier that you met...

Aaron Tippin: Well I remember one... I actually met a father and a son over there together in Afghanistan. It was happening so fast in the autograph line that I didn’t get time to stop and say... how is the world are you both here? You know, but somewhere over there in the 82nd, or some division has got a father and son. I don’t know if they’re in the same outfit or what, but that was pretty interesting. Another thing was that I got to have turkey dinner with General Tommy Franks.

Access.FM: He’s from Central Command, down here my way... in the Tampa area. I think he’s over there in Quatar now doing his field exercises or simulated war maneuvers.

Aaron Tippin: Yeah... he’s the Boss.

Access.FM: That was good. Now who else was there... were you the main entertainment?

Aaron Tippin: We got to be it... be ‘big dog’. We planned an entire show. We rehearsed it here in the States before we went. I really went to extremes to make sure we had a great show for the guys and gals.

Access.FM: Does this make you want to go back?

Aaron Tippin: Firmly... I definitely want to go back. I really cherish the time I got to spend with them. It’s so rewarding to get to hang out with them. And I know that it’s good that everybody’s thinking about them. Seems like since we went over, a lot of folks are taking off to go see them. I think it’s really great... and guess what? Country Music is leading the way.

Access.FM: I know that... I go to USO.org a lot to see what’s up with them. Since you first went in the early 90’s, how many trips have you done?

Aaron Tippin: This is only my second one in foreign deployment. Like I said, we do shows all over the United States at bases, but they aren’t USO shows. The USO kinda gets you established. Once that happens, if you stay in contact with them, they’ll find you something to do. This is only the second time I’ve been, but I just wanted to be sure with this war effort going on, that I was behind what they’re doing. I thought it was real important.

Access.FM: This is a special time, because I haven’t heard of more country artists at one time doing it, with Craig Morgan over there now, and I think Neal McCoy has done a visit. Lee Greenwood is going to the Far East in January. Even Jamie O’Neal and Trace Adkins have gone recently. And then of course, Mr. Aaron Tippin...

Aaron Tippin: I’m glad all of them want to show their appreciation. That’s what we’re doing as pilgrims, as I say.

Access.FM: Have you talked to any country artists, have you discussed with them the USO and touring? Have you encouraged any of them to get involved?

Aaron Tippin: Oh yeah... I always tell them about the experiences I’ve had over there, and all of us say the same thing... you’ll never meet an audience more appreciative. That’s what you tell your comrades, and some of them get inspired, and you can see the list. It’s just wonderful that they do feel like that.

Aaron Tippin:... And how about ol’ Jamie O’Neal... why, she’s from Australia isn’t she?

Access.FM: Yes

Aaron Tippin: Well bless her!

Access.FM: I got a press release a couple of weeks ago... maybe before Thanksgiving... and I’m thinking, that’s the only ‘girl’ that I’ve heard of going.

Aaron Tippin: I don’t know of any girls that have gone recently... surely someone else will step up to the plate. We had a lot of fun, and the guys really enjoyed us, but just behind us were five or six Romanian girls that did a little dance show for them... and we could hear them hollerin’ a half a mile a way the next night.

Access.FM: How about that... guys in the desert cheering for women.

Aaron Tippin: Imagine that...

Access.FM: Now let’s talk about your music... uh... I think you gypped out of the CMT Flameworthy Award. I know you’re probably not an award kind of person, but I think you got gypped out of Most Patriotic Song.

Aaron Tippin: Well, bless you. I appreciate that. You’re right... I’m not much of an award guy. I was thrilled that I got in the running... that’s pretty political...

Access.FM: There were a lot of good songs, but yours to me, was the ‘patriotic’ song. But let’s talk about your next single coming out... is that “Love Like There’s No Tomorrow”? And that’s another collaboration with your wife.

Aaron Tippin: Yep... me and Thea again... just like “Kiss This”. This is a big super thrill for me, man. I’m watching one of my best friends get some overdue justice. She’s a great singer, and a great songwriter... a real pal of mine, and I get to watch her step up to the plate and share the light. I’d just as soon step out and let her completely get it, because she’s well deserving of it.

Access.FM: Now, is this song out on radio yet?

Aaron Tippin: Yeah... they have it, and hopefully they’ll play it.

Access.FM: What kind of early reception have you got on it?

Aaron Tippin: So far, good. And that’s... because I should say I’m a ‘seasoned vet’, but I’ll say ‘beaten vet’, I usually know what it sounds like when they’re not hip on one, and so far it’s very, very positive. I’m trying to keep Thea from getting too excited... I say, Honey this could go south at any time,... but we are really getting good response. The label seems excited about it. Most important, she’s already got some kind of recognition. She did a syndicated radio... we did 98 stations the other day when I got back. Since the next single was coming up, and we were gonna talk about that too, so she was with me. And boy... she got a little taste of this glory. She was having fun, so it’s really great. I’m glad she can have the fun without the headaches.

Access.FM: After this single, do you see another potential single off this CD?

Aaron Tippin: Oh man... I don’t know... the label kinda determines what they want to do next. I think right now, probably not. If this single turns out to be extra special, and starts selling a ton of records, then they might say there is something else here that we really ought to look at.

Access.FM: Were you pleasantly surprised with “Kiss This”?

Aaron Tippin: Uh... yeah. Yes I was. I’ll have to say the biggest thanks goes to Doug Howard at Lyric Street. I really wondered about sending “Kiss This” to radio. I didn’t know if they’d play it or not. The producers said... I don’t know if we should cut that or not, and the A&R guy at Lyric Street said... Oh yeah, you’re gonna cut it... so we did. As soon as we turned the album in, the promo staff jumped up and said... Yeehaw... the first single. I went... gaaah... good luck! Actually, it turned out to be super, extra special. It went crazy on radio.

Access.FM: I liked it... it had a kind of attitude.

Aaron Tippin: You know... in the real life of getting a record played, you never know what somebody’s gonna say that’s gonna turn it sour. It doesn’t really necessarily have to be a great song or a bad song, but somebody that doesn’t like it or doesn’t want to play it, says something, then everybody else goes... yeah, maybe you’re right. The next thing you know a great record is a dead record. So... you never know. So now rather than say this is a great song, you start walking through the mine field saying... don’t step there... whoops don’t step there...

Access.FM: I don’t know who decides what gets played on radio because it just amazes me at a lot of the good material that gets missed.

Aaron Tippin: I can’t put down radio... they are just getting too many records to play. If they didn’t have enough records, they’d play everything they could get their hands on. But it’s a funny world out there. Rascal Flatts and “I’m Movin' On”... my label mates. I don’t think Lyric Street really thought that was gonna be a major smash, and look at that song!!!

Access.FM: I forgot for a few seconds that you are label mates.

Aaron Tippin: Yeah... we are. They get so enthralled in trying to get this song played that they’re working on, that they don’t have time to sit back and listen to what they think is great. They are so shell-shocked from gettin shot up that they’re scared to say what’s great you know.

Access.FM: I’m sitting here holding your Christmas album from... is it last year “A December To Remember”?

Aaron Tippin: Right...

Access.FM: It’s one that I play, and I’ve got a whole bunch of them. Let me ask you... with country music touring, I’m surprised that Lyric Street hasn’t necessarily gone the way of RCA, and put together a label tour as it were. I mean... when Kenny Chesney went on tour, he took with him Phil Vassar, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, and Sara Evans. I’m just wondering that Lyric Street hasn’t put together Aaron Tippin, She-Daisy, and Rascal Flatts... I’d go to that show.

Aaron Tippin: I think that’s something that needs consideration. That’s something that I might just suggest to them... that might be something fun.

Access.FM: They can take Sonya Isaacs too... she’s not too hard on the eyes.

Aaron Tippin: Oh buddy... is she a doll? She is a beautiful woman. She’s a great singer, and beautiful too.

Access.FM: Just a couple more here... what about a video?

Aaron Tippin: Nowadays, they wait to see what the record’s gonna do. Used to be, you got a video to help the record get going, now they wait to see what the record’s gonna do, then they do a video. Thea and I have talked about it, but nothing from the label yet.

Access.FM: What do you do... do you send out word to a video director?

Aaron Tippin: Yeah... and they write what they call a ‘treatment’. They send it to the record label and management and we all sit around and look at it... you know, it’s just a story. Maybe we’ll get one... I don’t know.

Access.FM: Last Question... do you think that CMT shows enough country music videos, or do you think it looks too much like MTV now? This may be a question you don’t want to answer...

Aaron Tippin: I know everybody’s always trying to make something better, make your ship faster and stronger, but I’ll just say this... I remember a long time ago, TNN played videos all the time... people loved it. Well... they started doing individual shows and stuff, and the next thing you know the complaint was... they don’t play enough videos. There’s a new thing called CMT... man they’re playing videos 24hrs a day. Guess who took over?

Now it seems like history repeats itself... or at least that’s what I hear. I don’t know.

Access.FM: Well that’s what I’ve seen. There are so many country artists out there that I don’t get to see. It might make a debut somewhere, then that’s it.

Aaron Tippin: You know... after a while it becomes political. After a while, they say... we can’t add your record or your video because... blah blah blah. After a while it becomes an ‘instrument’ of the powers that be.

Access.FM: How about Fan Fair?

Aaron Tippin: You know... I was working during Fan Fair. I’m about half-ashamed to say that, but over the years, when I’m not having a great record, it’s tough on my guys, and so when I miss an opportunity to work. People make offers, and funny it’s always on that particular week. And you know the industry demands that I be here on the week of Radio Seminar, award shows... you gotta be here for that. It’s sad, but it’s true. I just don’t want my guys to starve.

Access.FM: Well maybe we’ll get to see you next year at Fan Fair.

Aaron Tippin: You know, this year, I hope we can. We’ve had a pretty good year, so maybe we can.

Access.FM: Thank you very much. I appreciate your time.

Aaron Tippin: Hey my pleasure guy... thanks for talking to me.

Access.FM: It’s nice to meet you, and I look forward to seeing you again in Florida soon.