If you like ‘twin-fiddle-’n’steel guitar’ music, you’re probably a fan of country superstar Alan Jackson.
The Grand Ol’ Opry legend has written and recorded dozens of classics since his first single, ‘Here in the real world’ was released in 1990.
Jackson, like Merle Haggard and George Jones before him, is a one-of-a-kid original.
Well, almost one-of-a-kind.
Aaron Halliday comes very, very close.
Halliday, who hails from Kelowna, BC, is a professional singer who bears a striking resemblance to Jackson, and also shares his vocal range and musical talents. For the past 30 years, he’s been taking the stage to sold-out audiences in western Canada performing Jackson’s material as a tribute artist (www.aaronhallidaymusic.com).
Halliday is currently in the midst of his latest ‘Alan Jackson Experience’ concert tour that began in northern Alberta in mid-January and continues through this spring. One of the concert dates along the way is an April 29 show in Warman at the WCMS Community Theatre at the Legends Centre. The show is co-sponsored by the Clark’s Crossing Gazette and CJWW Radio. Tickets are available at the Gazette office in Warman.
In an interview, Halliday said he began performing Jackson’s early hits in the early 1990s when he was the lead singer in a cover band. When the band folded, he stepped into the spotlight as a solo artist.
“A friend of mine was playing shows as a Kenny Rogers tribute artist, and another friend was doing Elvis,” said Halliday. “They both said to me, ‘hey, you look like Alan Jackson and you sound like him. You should do this.’
“That’s how I got started,” he added. “I enjoy paying tribute to someone I really look up to. I admire Alan Jackson for his family values, the way he conducts himself, his song writing and his music.”
Halliday said while he strives to ensure his live music is true to Jackson’s original versions, he interacts with his audience as himself.
“I look and sound like Alan Jackson,” he said. “But I don’t want the audience to think I’m Alan Jackson. I don’t try and be him. I make it clear I’m paying tribute to him. That’s why the show is called the ‘Alan Jackson Experience.’
“During the show I tell people about Alan and his songs, but I also include some of my own original music as a singer-songwriter and tell them about my own journey.
“As much as I would love to be rich and famous as Aaron Halliday, that’s a tough road to travel. But as a tribute artist to Alan Jackson, when they put the word ‘tribute’ on the marquee sign, people recognize it instantly.
“That gives me a larger audience to introduce my original music to.
“And for the audience, they get to hear the music they love performed true to the original. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
Halliday said while every show is different, there are a few Jackson-penned classics that always make the playlist.
“The ones people really like are ‘Chattahoochee,’ ‘Remember when,’ and ‘Where were you when the world stopped turning?” said Halliday. “But Alan’s written and recorded so many incredible songs; at least 40 number one hits; that it’s not possible to fit them all into a two-hour show, so we vary it every time.”
Halliday said his personal favourite of all Jackson’s songs is a love song entitled ‘Too much of a good thing.’
“That’s the one that really speaks to the relationship I have with my wife Sharyn,” he said. “We have a true partnership. She’s the backbone of the show because she does all the bookings and makes the arrangements.”
He said he encourages fans to go onto his Facebook page prior to a show in their area to suggest songs for him to play during that concert.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Halliday and his band played an average of 150 shows annually. When the lockdown hit in early 2020, he had to adapt.
“In the last couple years, I’ve done solo shows, where there might only be 50 people in the room,” he said. “Sometimes we’ve added a second or third show to accommodate the ticket demand.”
But with restrictions being lifted across the country, Halliday is back on tour.
“It’s way better playing with a full band and bigger venues,” said Halliday. “I’m looking forward to the concert in Warman.”