Jason Interviews Musical Hero Randy Owen

“I always tell people I was a borderline super fan of Alabama,” jokes multi-platinum country rocker Jason Aldean.  “Randy (Owen) is probably my biggest influence.”  The Georgia native admits to more than just his lifelong love of country music’s most successful and enduring groups during an intimate conversation with the group’s frontman on One to One,  a new one-hour special on Great American Country debuting Wednesday, March 11, 8:00 pm/eastern.
 
Unlike most interview shows, One to One allows Aldean to take on the role of interviewer giving him a once in a lifetime chance to chat with his musical hero.  “I’ve got this photo that I wanted to bring,” Aldean effuses. “Years ago I went to see Alabama play in Myrtle Beach…all these women were getting their pictures made with Randy and here I come through the crowd. Got my picture made and he kind of looked at me like ‘Here’s this one guy among all of these crazy women.”
 
Both men grew up in rural areas and received their earliest exposure to music from their fathers and Owen – who lost his father in 1980 – advises Aldean not to take time with his father for granted.  “Play with him every chance you get.  I would give everything I have if I could sit down and play with my daddy for 45 minutes.”
 
As a mentor Owen reminds Aldean to work at staying healthy while maintaining a grueling touring schedule.  “I got to the point where I would exercise, try and eat right and concentrate on the one thing I had to do each night:  perform,” he says.  “If you don’t watch it, the road will absolutely tear you down.”
 
Prior to sitting down for their chat, Aldean was taken by surprise when Owen showed up on stage, unannounced at a Georgia concert.  GAC crews were on hand to capture his utter and complete shock.  Additionally, crews got some very special behind the scenes footage when the two went into the studio for Aldean’s remake of the Alabama classic, “My Home’s In Alabama,” which he is including as a bonus track on Wide Open, his forthcoming album. “One of the first songs I learned how to play was ‘My Home’s In Alabama,’” he says of the 1980 hit.  “So to have Randy be a part of this record is just about the coolest thing that’s happened to me in my career.”
 
Sarah Trahern, GAC senior VP of programming, says that the pairing of Aldean and Owen for the first One to One is a perfect fit.  “What a great opportunity to bring together two generations of great country music in the form of a superstar and a superstar in the making,” she says.
 
So did Aldean take this opportunity to ask Owen for career advice? Yes.  “I think first of all you’ve got to be focused,” the country music legend tells him.  “I think that’s number one.