Watch Jason's performance on the Nashville Star finale.

Did you catch hot newcomer Jason Aldean on Country Countdown USA on K92FM this weekend? It was Jason's first visit to the show. He's nominated for the Academy of Country Music's Top New Male award. He just completed touring with Rascal Flatts and his debut CD has sold a half million copies. His first single "Hicktown" went top ten and his latest song, "Why" is now #1. He's hot! Guess which major Country star knew him as a teenager...Trisha Yearwood! His dad lives in Trisha's hometown on Monticello, GA. When she would come home and do local concerts, she would ask Jason to open for her. She must have seen something in this young new star.

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It's been almost exactly one year since Jason's first single, "Hicktown," was released. Jason says it's been an amazing year, but it took 14 years to get here. There have been a number of great "firsts" during this year, but according to Jason, the thing that stands out most was the week when he found out he was nominated for a CMT Music Award and the ACM's Top New Male Award.

The other artists in the Top New Male category with Jason are Craig Morgan and Billy Currington. Jason says he hopes to win, but if he doesn't, he's happy for Craig because they're both on the same record label, and he's happy for Billy because they're both from Georgia. Jason will be attending the Academy of Country Music awards on May 23rd in Las Vegas. He tells Lon that he's usually more excited when he arrives in Vegas than when he leaves. He also says his favorite game of chance is blackjack.

Speaking of casinos, Jason recalls that he once opened a show for Faith Hill at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut. He was 18 years old at the time. First of all, it was snowing, and it was the first time he'd seen snow. Second of all, after the show, he got thrown out of the casino because he was under 21. He doesn't think Faith remembers him at all.

Check out Jason's photo album
Tour Dates
Listen to Jason's Album
Rate his newest song, "Why"