It was 2006 and Rogers Arena was nearly sold out.
That’s when Aaron Pritchett walked up on stage and something unexpected happened.
“Everybody is just chanting ‘Aaron, Aaron’,” Pritchett told the News Bulletin in December. “The tears that came up, well you can’t explain that.”
Although Pritchett was the opener that night for Brooks and Dunn and Sara Evans, it remains one of his most treasured moments.
“It was one of those things where I did not expect a crowd to be there while I went on stage,” he said. “That was when I thought, I could end it all tomorrow and this would be the highlight of my career.”
On Jan. 17 the two-time Juno Award nominee will be performing at the Queen’s with Cory Marquardt and King and Cash as part of the Outlaws and Outsiders tour.
“I always love coming back to Nanaimo,” Pritchett said. “I am actually on and off Gabriola Island quite often … and I spend a lot of time in Nanaimo shopping or playing hockey and I am quite close to that town to be honest with you.”
The Outlaws and Outsiders tour will kick off in Victoria on Jan. 15 and will see the three acts perform 18 shows in 21 nights across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
“I’ve never played more than four shows in a row,” Pritchett said. “So to do 18 in a row is going to be tough of 90 minutes plus and I am one of those guys who is a bit of a hard singer. I gotta keep myself in good shape.”Pritchett’s upcoming tour will also see him perform with his eldest son, Jordan, who is a member of King and Cash as well as Faber Drive.
Pritchett remembered when he brought Jordan along during his 2008 tour with Toby Keith and said he will no longer have to be the dad that looks out for his son.
“I don’t have to be dad watching out for him like I was in ’08,” Pritchett said. “This is going to be a lot of fun.”
However, Pritchett acknowledged that he’ll never stop acting as a father.
“To be honest with you though, I don’t think I’ll ever stop being that dad for him on the road,” Pritchett said. “I gotta watch out for him and make sure he’s on the bus at the right time and on the stage at the right time and those are the only two things that matter.”
Following the Outlaws and Outsiders tour, Pritchett has plans to release a new EP, which will include singles that he has already released.
“It’s looking like we’re going to a release an EP with a bunch of singles that we released the year before,” he said.
Pritchett also has plans to release a greatest hits album sometime in the middle of the year.
“We will be releasing a greatest hits package, which is something that is kind of surreal to say because you always think those people that get the greatest hits packages have massive hits and they have had years and years,” Pritchett said. “Well, I’ve had years and years and years when I think about it. I’ve been in this industry for 15 years now and I’ve been releasing singles for 15 years and it is hard to believe.”
Last year proved to be another successful year for Pritchett as the Hold My Beer singer picked up a couple of British Columbia Country Music Association Awards, including a Fan Choice Award.
“The BCCMAs, I did not expect to win those and never really do,” he said. “Especially this year. I didn’t really see that coming.”
With plans for an EP and a greatest hits record, Pritchett is excited for what 2015 has in store for him.
“I don’t know what to expect this year. I am just going to keep rolling along,” he said. “I think my brain is still in my 20s and my body is hopefully still in my 30s and we can keep rolling along and hit the mark.”
When Pritchett isn’t focused on music or his family, he is often playing or watching hockey.
Thanks to his success as a Vancouver-based country musician, Pritchett was recently named as a member of the Vancouver Canucks alumni team, despite having never played professionally.
“I am beside myself even thinking about it,” Pritchett said.
Aaron Pritchett performs at the Queen’s on Jan. 17 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35. For tickets, please call 250-754-6751 or visit the Queen’s at 34 Victoria Cres.
For more information on Aaron Pritchett, please visit www.aaron-pritchett.com.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com