AINOW.org interview

SOURCE: AI NOW

"For as long as he can remember, Aaron Kelly has known that he wanted to make country music. He grew up listening to and singing country music. And, when given the opportunity to move to Nashville after the Idol tour wrapped up this summer, he knew that's where he needed to be.

"Things are going great here in Nashville", Aaron told me in my recent phone interview with him. "I'm getting to meet and work with a lot of people and songwriters. Things are going full speed ahead after the tour."

Aaron just released his first single, "I Can't Wait For Christmas." He knows his fans really wanted an entire album from him, but he says there just wasn't enough time. He has always wanted to record a Christmas song, so this seemed like the best compromise. "We wrote and recorded it in the same day. It was a one-take thing. It sounds good and gives the fans something to have for now until I do get into the studio."

You can listen everything else Aaron and I talked about in our interview below.

Aaron says he has written 18 songs so far. The plan now is to pick the best songs and put together a song book for an album. Two of the songs Aaron really likes are "Get Back To You" and "So Much Fun Being In Love."

"Get Back To You" was co-written with Phillip White, who also wrote Rascal Flatt's smash hit "I'm Moving On." "Getting to write with him was awesome. And, that song very much has that kind of spin off...vibe...to it. And, when people hear it, they're like 'I can feel the angst and the pain in that song'." Aaron says the other song is a fan favorite. It tells the story of a romance between a guy and a girl who date throughout high school and college.

He gets his inspiration from things around him. "I think a song is a story. Something that has happened to you. You can write a song about anything." Aaron says it also helps to have other songwriters to bounce ideas off of. "You could say a line and the other writer says, 'Well, how about we say it this way? It sings better'."

As a 17 year old, he believes his age will only help him get further in the music industry. Take a look at Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and David Archuleta, he told me. They are young too, but are very focused on and driven. "I've always known what kind of artist I am. I'm not changing to a different genre...I'm very much focused on what I've been focused on since the beginning."

And, that focus is to make country music. Aaron knows he wouldn't have the opportunities he has now if it wasn't for Idol and his fans who voted for him week after week. For that, he is very thankful. We have much to look forward to from Aaron. He hopes to be able to record an album soon and he would love to work with Rascal Flatts in the studio. So, Gary, Jay and JoeDon...if you're reading this, give Aaron a call!"