“It took 18 years to get here but it’s worth every step,” says Aaron Watson, who will celebrate his first time headlining Nashville’s revered Ryman Auditorium tomorrow (Oct. 4), as he brings “A Night Of Texas At The Ryman.”

Watson recalls first visiting the Ryman Auditorium 18 years ago, shortly after he had met with an executive from one of the largest record labels in Nashville to discuss a possible deal.

“They had just gotten through telling me I didn’t have what it takes and I was pretty heartbroken,” Watson tells MusicRow. “Maybe he was being harsh, or maybe he was just being honest, but that pushed me to become a better artist. I am the artist I am today because of those experiences, so I’m thankful for that good ole boy who told me I wasn’t good enough.”

After that meeting, Watson returned to Texas.

But he didn’t retreat.

Perhaps taking inspiration from the scores of artists before him who had been rejected by a Nashville record label only to go on to achieve great success, Watson built a team that includes CDA Entertainment’s Anthony “Gino” Genaro, with Thirty Tigers, and CAA’s Aaron Tannenbaum.

Watson toured relentlessly and has released 13 albums on his own independent label. With every show and every album, he’s built a domestic and international fanbase.

In 2015, Watson made history with his album The Underdog. The aptly titled project debuted at the top of the Billboard Country Albums chart, making Watson the first independent male country artist to debut an album in the chart’s top slot. Earlier this year, he released its follow up, Vaquero, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Country Albums chart, and topped the all-genre Indie Albums chart.

Tomorrow, Watson will make a triumphant headlining run on that very same Ryman stage he visited years ago.

Fellow Texans will also join him, including Mickey Guyton, Jon Wolfe, Jim Collins and Leslie Satcher, who will soon release the album 2 Days In Muscle Shoals.

“I’ve played so many shows with Jon Wolfe,” Watson says. “Mickey I just feel like she’s a superstar. She’s beautiful inside and out. She sings like a bird and there are so many wonderful things about her, so I felt like it was such a great lineup.”

“It’s just such an honor. It’s the Ryman,” he continues. “When I am walking down the hallway and it’s the old brick and the old hardwood floors and the church pews, I can’t help but think of all the legends that walked those same footsteps with me. I think of Johnny Cash, June [Carter Cash] and Ernest Tubb. He’s one of my favorites. There is something so special about it and the tradition gets me. That is something that country music needs to never get away from, to never forget where it comes from.

“I built my career and so to get to headline the Ryman feels full-circle and it makes it that much sweeter. I’m excited to share my brand of country music with Nashville.”

“A Night Of Texas At The Ryman” will benefit American Red Cross Hurricane Harvey response efforts. Tickets begin at $25 and can be purchased at ryman.com.

Hunter Hayes, with support from Samsung Electronics America, Inc., has generously gifted $100,000 to the CMA Foundation to fully renovate the well-worn music room at the Nashville School of the Arts, home to 621 students in Davidson County. Hayes has always supported and noted the importance of having a dedicated workspace in schools for students to bolster their creative inspiration.

“I’ve always loved what music and charity organizations can do together, and I believe every child should have a place in school that allows them to discover more about their passions and be creative,” shared Hayes. “Thanks to the support of Samsung, CMA Foundation and numerous sponsors, we are able to help restore the Nashville School of the Arts guitar lab and give the students the necessary tools to practice and grow as musicians and artists.”

“Nashville School of the Arts is profoundly grateful for Hunter Hayes. His generosity in providing the new recording studio will allow our students to develop their remarkable talents as performs and future music industry leaders,” said Nashville School of the Arts’ Executive Principal Dr. Gregory Stewart.

The month-long renovation to create a state-of-the-art guitar lab and recording studio kicks-off on Wednesday, Oct. 4 with two performances for the entire school and community by Hayes at the Nashville School of the Arts. Hayes will also perform as part of The Grand Ole Opry’s 92nd Birthday Bash where he is enlisting NSA students to join him for two performances.

Hit songwriters Shane McAnally, Hillary Lindsey and Emily Shackelton joined Big Machine Records newcomer Carly Pearce on stage last night (Oct. 2) to celebrate the Oct. 13 debut of her Every Little Thing.

A weight hung over the fan event at the new location of Nashville’s Listening Room Cafe. Namely, the tragedy that took place at Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas over the weekend.

“Today has been an extremely heavy day,” said Pearce before a moment of silence. “Being an artist and songwriter, we know so many that were out there in Vegas. I hope tonight we honor those who lost their lives and everyone was affected, and remember why we love music so much—especially country music. Music heals.”

Of the album’s 13 tracks, Pearce performed nine titles acoustically, in the round. Four titles were new to fans, not having been previously available for instant grat. Young, front row fans recorded and sang along to each title.

Pearce wrote her debut, heartbreak ballad, “Every Little Thing,” with Shackelton and producer/writer busbee. Shackelton, a new mother of 13 days, performed a beautiful piano accompaniment for Pearce. Shackelton took the mic for the second title performed, “You Know Where To Find Me,” a co-write with Pearce and busbee. The evening wrapped with Pearce and Shackelton’s co-write “Careless.”

“Daniel [Lee] changed my life,” said Pearce. “He was looking to find an artist to work with from the ground up with busbee. He was the one person who told me I could in a sea of people who said I couldn’t…And thank you to Kos [Weaver], who let Daniel sign me to BMG.”

The Kentucky native introduced Shane McAnally, who has one outside cut on the project, “Feel Somethin’” with Natalie Hemby and busbee, in addition to a Pearce co-write with busbee and Pearce, “If My Name Was Whiskey.” The latter title was released to SiriusXM as a preview in addition to other instant-grat tracks. Pearce noted it reminds her of the timeless feel that the music from female country artists in the late ‘90s and early 2000’s had.

“Even when you sing a happy song,” said McAnally to Pearce, “you have that unbelievable country tear that we have been missing for so long. It feels like home hear that voice on the radio. Its funny that that is a breath of fresh air, that a stone cold country voice is taking us by surprise. But thank God they’re playing this record and you stayed in the game, because we need you.”

“I know Kelsea Ballerini and I have totally fan-girled over Hillary Lindsey,” praised Pearce of the songwriter. “I think everybody in Nashville kinda wants to be Hillary.”

Lindsey performed two of her titles, two outside cuts, “Hide The Wine,” written with Ashley Gorley and Luke Laird, noting it will be her next single after “Every Little Thing.” Secondly, Lindsey performed “I Need A Ride Home” with Pearce, also co-written with Gorley in addition to Matt Jenkins.

Pearce spontaneously welcomed Allison Veltz in addition to her sister Laura Veltz at separate times to the stage for their respective co-writes, “Doin’ It Right” and “Color.”

Pearce concluded by thanking two essential players who made Every Little Thing possible, BMLG owner Scott Borchetta and his A&R right hand Allison Jones, in addition to producer busbee and Vector managers Ken Levitan and Kevin Spellman.

“I’ve wanted [to make an album] my entire life,” concluded Pearce to the writers and audience. “It all begins with a song and I am truly grateful for letting me cut your songs and letting me write with you. I idolize you all as writers and artists and singers so thank you for doing this with me. I had so much fun making this album—front to back, it’s from my heart.”