Aron Dees Biography

Pure Country

Wyoming may have the lowest population of all fifty states. But the great Cowboy State just may be responsible for introducing one of the biggest talents destined for the country music world. From an area renowned for the beauty and diversity of its grand landscape comes a unique voice steeped in those very same characteristics; from a state standing on its hallowed Native American roots arises country at its purest. A pure country voice inspired by a fervent cowboy heart. It’s a combination only Wyoming could produce. And why you need to meet Aron Dees, an artist ready to take you on the ride of your life.

Though born in Lakin, Kansas, Dees was raised in Wyoming and lived there most of his life; it’s where he calls home. Which fits him just right. The handsome 26 year old has long been doing what the homefolks do: working ranches, following the rodeo circuit, and working hard. When asked what he likes most about his home state, the aspiring singer immediately states “the wide open spaces.” And wide open sums up perfectly how the door to country music swung for him.

Dees credits his mom for introducing him to country music early in his life. And while he would benefit in other ways from his father, thanks to his mother, he grew up on a steady diet of traditional country the likes of Patsy Cline and George Strait. But when asked about his biggest influence, there is no hesitation and his admiration is palpable.

“Chris LeDoux. No doubt about it. I love Chris and the music he made. It’s Wyoming music, cowboy music. I owned every single one of his tapes and couldn’t get enough. Then I was in a rodeo crowd and actually got to meet Chris; he signed my rodeo card and that has been one of the biggest highlights of my life. Because I can relate to him and every single song he sang. You have to know what details that kind of life, out on the prairie or on a cattle drive. It really meant something to me. It still does.”

And it’s no doubt. Dees has lived the cowboy life. As a teenager, he found that school wasn’t a good fit and left before graduation. With a long-held dream of owning his own ranch safely tucked away in his heart, he headed to Nebraska with a buddy to work ranches. While tending cattle and fencing the prairie, he began team-roping on the rodeo circuit and fell in love with the lifestyle. It was a perfect fit and would serve as the catalyst for his move toward music.

“I would be out riding fences in Nebraska and just started putting words together. Maybe boredom drove me to it, but suddenly I found myself with phrases coming together in my head. It was when I actually started writing songs. I was 16 years old and had no idea what was about to happen to me.”

Fate would step in to spur young Dees and his music along. At 18, he returned to his beloved Wyoming to earn his GED and began dating his future wife. It was at this point that he knew music was going to be important to him and his life.

“I started singing my songs to Amanda (wife) and she really liked them. But it was something just between us. Until she sorta took matters into her own hands.”

That she did. After they married, the young Mrs. Dees contacted the Colgate Country Showdown in Casper, Wyoming, and entered her husband in the upcoming talent contest. And he makes no bones about it, he didn’t want to do it.

“She definitely got the ball rolling. I would have never done that. And I didn’t want to do that one either. But what do you do—it’s your wife! So, I guess you can say I did it under protest. And I lost. But she wouldn’t let me quit.”

The burgeoning singer/songwriter took stock of his first foray into performing. He had gotten a big reaction from the audience with his stylings of George Strait’s “King of Broken Hearts,” and Chris LeDoux’s “Look at You Girl,” an offering for his own girl. But the judges told him to practice and work on his stage presence, something he went to work on immediately.

With Amanda by his side, Dees began honing his musical chops feverishly. But with bills to pay and a family to support, the country hopeful had to face reality and began working on drilling rigs. Yet while the rough work provided a paycheck for his family, his songs were never far from his heart and mind.

Dees made a sophomore jump into the next Colgate Showdown and this time was blindsided by the band’s inability to play what he had prepared. But he didn’t let it derail him. He once again gave it his best shot, determined to continue learning what he could.

“The first contest had been fun. Sure, I was nervous, but the fun far out-weighed however nervous I got. So, I was ready to do it again. And this time, I came with another Strait song, as well as one by Kenny Chesney. The showcase band had no problem with “Carrying Your Love With Me,” but when I showed them the Chesney song, they said no way. So, rather than give up, I just went ahead with the one song and gave it my all. And I lost again. But for some reason I didn’t let it bother or stop me. I guess I was feeling confident.”

Confident may be an understatement. When asked if he was trying to mimic Texas superstar Strait, Dees is emphatic with his “no.” He says he never tried to sound like anyone--that he knows he has his own voice. Which brings to mind the immortal words uttered by one iconic young man from Tupelo, Mississippi; when the receptionist at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee, asked who he sounded like, Elvis shyly responded, “I don’t sound like nobody.” And that was right before he changed the world forever. It’s a history lesson that could certainly serve Dees well.

After his daughter, Faith, was born in 2000, he picked up a guitar and taught himself to play. He began crafting songs from his own life or the experiences of those around him. A son, Gavin, was added to the family and the future seemed even brighter. Then with the name of his young daughter guiding his path, he stepped out there one more time.

Coupling his growing confidence with two original songs, Dees tested the “three’s a charm” mantra by returning to the Colgate Showdown. He accompanied himself on the guitar and this time, he was the contest runner-up. But fate would once again step in to dictate his course.

“The gal who won the show had entered in so many other events that she ended up getting herself disqualified from my contest because of the conflict. And that pulled me up and sent me to the next level of competition in Keystone, Colorado. I was able to perform my own original songs with a band and even though I lost, it set me up to move forward. Which is exactly what I did.”

Using the prize money from his title win, Dees secured his first recording deal. Signed with Avitor Music International out of Moss Point, Mississippi, the Wyoming hopeful contracted to record three songs for release to radio. Then, if the audience response to the initial trio of tunes meets with industry expectations, a full album could be in the works. And that’s something that brings out unmistakable excitement in the affable young artist.

“I want my songs to mean something to somebody. Just like Chris LeDoux’s music meant something to me. And I just believe that it can and will.”

One listen to the trinity of freshly minted tunes and one has to believe as well. It’s a voice familiar, yet distinctly fresh. When asked to describe his music, Dees comes up with the following recipe: traditional country mixed with some country rock then injected with cowboy country with a little country pop tossed in along the way. And is there a specific formula? Absolutely not. He just goes from the heart, something abundantly evident in the songs he writes.

Recorded at C2A Studios in Bedford, Indiana, “Saving Me,” the debut single to radio, was inspired by his wife. Dees shares that it reflects their special love story. “She’s always been there for me, comforting me, supporting me, loving me. My family is the most important thing to me—it’s the driving force behind it all. So, it’s just a song that describes how she’s always there. It could be a beautiful wedding song.”

“Might as Well Give Up” turns the corner and offers Dees in a blues-driven song infused with a strong rockin’ beat that clearly spells fun. But the hidden jewel in the pack may be the one song that simply had to be included due to popular demand.

“Cowboy Mix,” an infectious tongue-in-cheek romp that leaves the female fans clamoring for more, was actually inspired by a scene Dees remembered from the George Strait film vehicle, Pure Country. Dees’ hearty laugh fills the room as he remembers thinking back to the image of Strait tumbling off his chair in a bar as the object of his affection strolls by. Afterward, he whipped up the playful lyrics before tagging the song with a “dream-like” spin for his wife. Initially recorded in raw form, it has now been rearranged, repolished, and recut. And with it, Dees is cooking with gas; something he’s obviously given a lot of thought to while roughnecking on the rigs.

“My dreams are big. I want to perform. At first I thought, no, I’m no good. I have no business trying it up on stage. But the response has been overwhelming and I just believe that I have it in me to make it happen. I mean, you hear it from enough people and you start to believe it yourself.”

“Things are moving fast. Interest seems to be spreading. I’ve just booked my biggest show to date and am looking forward to playing Las Vegas in February, 2006. So I’m just working on my stage performance as well as fine-tuning my music. I never stop.”

And he means that literally. When asked what music is in his CD player right now, Dees hesitantly admits to spinning “Mailman in Heaven” repeatedly. “I’ve been practicing,” he explains.

But when quizzed about who else he might listen to if there were rules outlawing his own music, his selections are indicative of the man himself. “Toby Keith—he’s just an authentic voice and I really like that about him. Lee Ann Womack—she has such a great voice. The same with Allison Krauss. I would definitely listen to her.”

As for tours, what would make his wish list? “Kenny Chesney or Brad Paisley. Those guys just seem to have fun and there are lots of folks there. And I want folks to get to hear my music.” But that’s been his dream all along.

“More than anything, I want people to like my music when they hear it, whether on the radio or from a stage. So I guess my biggest dream is all wrapped up with my biggest fear because I know it’s possible that they won’t. But I can’t let that hold me back.” Spoken like a true cowboy.

So, for now, this quiet, strong, introspective man continues working hard on the rigs as he awaits the day when his music will break as far and wide as the Wyoming sky. And no doubt when it does, it will reflect every color of his musical palate. The end result is destined to be as richly textured as his beloved prairie landscape. Because like Dees himself says, “there’s no one I would compare myself to and no one else I want to be; there’s just nobody like me out there right now.” Which marks him as one who is capable of riding a completely fresh breath of air into country music today. Pure country air at that. Something Aron Dees wouldn’t have any other way.