Amador County – The former lead singer and song writer of the band Staind, Aaron Lewis returns to the Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel on Sunday, Aug. 14, with an acoustic performance of his new genre of country music.

Lewis’ latest release, the five-song “Town Line,” shows his country side, something that comes naturally, said Carol Cook, Content Developer, for Rancheria Marketing. “He’s never strayed very far from country. It’s something that he grew up with and something he comes back to. Hints of that are present in the stripped honesty and acoustic melodies of Staind hits such as “Outside,” “It’s Been Awhile,” and “So Far Away.”

It’s most obvious in the new single “Country Boy,” in which Lewis’s voice carries a catchy chorus over a slide guitar, and he opens up about his past, present, and future. Featuring a fiery fiddle lead from Charlie Daniels, a booming verse from George Jones, and Chris Youngs’ lilting harmonies, “Country Boy” strikes a balance between classic and modern country.

“George Jones and Charlie Daniels are two of the genre’s legends,” Lewis said, “and Chris Young represents the new regime. It’s definitely a personal, autobiographical song, and I’m very thankful that they all participated.”

Growing up in rural Vermont, he spent summers with his grandfather hunting and fishing. During that time, he developed a love for the land, the woods, and the simple life, which still permeates everything he does. There was one specific soundtrack to those times though.

“Country was the background music to my childhood,” Lewis recalls. “My grandfather listened to Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, Hank Williams Jr., and all of the greats. When Staind did our first tour with Kid Rock in 1999, I rode the bus with him on a couple occasions and we bonded over this music. I haven’t been able to let go of it since then.”

He said: “These songs are country in the sense of classic Americana. They’re simple, understated, and founded on quality songwriting. If you put a country accompaniment to any of the songs that I’ve written over the years on my acoustic, all of them would work as country tunes.”

Lewis said: “I’ve always stayed true to how I feel in my songs. I love this country, and I feel like I’ve gotten to live the American dream. I’m genuinely blessed to have this opportunity, and I’m glad to celebrate that classic country spirit with this new music.”

General admission is $40, and Dreamcatcher’s Club members can save 50% off tickets at the Jackson Rancheria Box Office, online, or by phone at 800-822-WINN.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.