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Goodvin launches Brand New World

It’s 86 degrees Fahrenheit in Nashville and the pollen is flying. Singer/songwriter Aaron Jake Goodvin’s allergies are flaring, but they’re a minor inconvenience. This St.

It’s 86 degrees Fahrenheit in Nashville and the pollen is flying. Singer/songwriter Aaron Jake Goodvin’s allergies are flaring, but they’re a minor inconvenience.

This St. Albert hometown boy is flying on an adrenalin rush that only comes after the release of a first full-length album. Brand New World, aptly named for Goodvin’s increasing musical fortunes, is a snappy CD that reached the iTunes Top 5 Canadian Country Charts the week of March 8.

When he was 20, the Paul Kane High graduate started flying to Nashville on and off in hopes of receiving a record deal or scoring a publishing contract.

But it’s been a long, at times gritty road, he said. One of the obstacles he faced as a singer was that industry movers and shakes viewed him as a songwriter rather than an onstage entertainer.

“I came across different people and I tried to make the right decision. A couple of years ago I got tired of listening. I wanted to make a record about me with my songs.”

It’s been six years since his first foray to Music City, but the one thing that’s kept him going when others packed their bags is a positive outlook.

“I’m really a big dreamer and I believe in what people don’t see. I wake up every day with a smile on my face and tell people they can go after what they want.”

With three relationships in five years, Goodvin is pretty candid that he’s married to his music. But it’s these life experiences that fill his songs with depth.

“It’s hard to give someone your heart when you’re so involved in your career. But I’m grateful it’s taken me this long to put out an album. It allowed me to be a clearer, more understanding person.”

Looking back on the 11 tracks, one of his favourite tunes is The Ballad of AJG, a slow, mellow tune he penned on his own.

“There’s no harmony. It’s just me. It’s pretty cool to lay it out and make it sound so nice.”

While he takes his music seriously, there’s always an element of humour in his personal life. And it really shines through in A Dozen Roses & A Six Pack.

“I wrote it with two of my best friends, Cole Swindell and Adam Sanders. My personality is very much like the song. I try to make a relationship work, but if it doesn’t I move on.”

It’s also one of the best songs the trio has penned up to now.

“It wrote itself in an hour and a half and there are lots of artists in town who really like it.”

Break Your Heart was another song that was just spit out.

“Some songs are just meant to be singles. When they’re the up-tempo Tom Petty style of song, it’s easier to write.”

At the time Goodvin decided to record his own album, he met Eddie Gore, producer and engineer for Insomnia Studios. This Nashville landmark was founded by the legendary Steve Cropper, best known as guitarist for Stax Records’ instrumental house band, Booker T. & the MGs. He later gained fame as a member of the Blues Brothers Band.

“Eddie is a great song arranger. He took some of my songs and brought life to them, and we were able to do it in a cost-efficient manner.”

But there was more than just musical admiration. Their two personalities clicked.

“I’m a huge fan of positivity and Eddie is one of the most positive guys around, especially in a town like Nashville where you can only have so many people fit at the top. He’s the most positive, humble guy I know and that can be hard in a town where there is so much limited success.”

Gore and Erica Scherle recently teamed up to create ESource Inc., an outlet that pitches songs to major label artists and Goodvin has been hired as the studio songwriter.

“I have just found my home and where I need to be. We’re a small team, but we can still get through and do some great things.”

As for Brand New World, Goodvin advises fans to “crank it up. We’re trying to get a label behind it. Now that we have something tangible, it’s gonna move.”

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