Five Years Later: Aaron Watson ‘Raise Your Bottle’ Proceeds Still Benefit Disabled Veterans
In the summer of 2012 Aaron Watson did something that no other Texas act had ever done. Over the course of six short weeks The Honky Tonk Kid's "Raise Your Bottle" became the fastest-rising single in the history of the Texas Music Chart.
"Well you know I think its a great song, I'm very proud of it. But I think what's even better than the song is what we're doing with [it]."
What is the Abilene native doing with "Raise Your Bottle?" To this day, five years later, Watson commits 100% of proceeds from sales of this song to our disabled veterans.
It was five years ago, this week, when Watson visited with us. He told us that he doesn't feel like this song belongs to him, but that It belongs to those who made sacrifices most of us can't even begin to understand.
The song was originally inspired by Watson's father, who is a 100% disabled Vietnam Veteran. But it wasn't long before it also became for his grandfather too. Soon his great-grandfather -- ultimately the stirring tribute became a song from Watson to all veterans.
When I wrote this song ... and I started thinking about all these people who sacrificed so much. [And] even though I wrote this song, I didn't feel like it belonged to me. So, until the day I die, every penny that this song generates will go toward our disabled veterans and their families.
Be sure to like Radio Texas, LIVE! on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date with everything happening in Texas Music -- And if you'd like to hear the rest of the five-year-old interview with Aaron, and find out about his 2012 "redneck ingenuity" check out the rest of our interview below.