March 19, 2024

Aaron Tippin

Dec. 6, 2009
Aaron Tippin
puts Charity Effort into Overdrive
By Rick Coates
Superstar Aaron Tippin has the reputation of being “the hardest
working man in country music,” and is affectingly referred to as the
“Hillbilly Hercules.”  In a music career that has spanned 20 years
with three number one hits and over five million albums sold, Tippin
remains on a never-ending tour of promoting “living the good life.”
He will come to Northern Michigan Saturday, December 12 to the
Kirtland Center for the Performing Arts to perform his hits, collect
donations for Toys for Tots, and promote his passion for healthy
living.
“My wife and I earlier this year launched Aaron Tippin Nutrition, with
a website, supplements and tips on healthy living and eating,” said
Tippin. “This is not a diet, this is a lifestyle. It is something that
my wife and I committed to a long time ago. I was into body-building
before I met her, but she taught me the concept of healthy eating and
making the right choices.”
Tippin launched his new venture after years on the road and signing
autographs and having fans ask him the same question over and over.
“How do you stay in such great shape? As I was getting older I would
hear it more,” said Tippin. “So my goal in 2010 is to get those fans
who sing along with me at my shows to get and stay in shape with me.
My mission is to help people to live longer and healthier lives. It
really is not that hard, once you get started, it is about attitude
and commitment.”

TRIBUTE TO TRUCKERS
When Tippin comes to Roscommon, his show will be a mix of his hits,
some Christmas music and songs from his current CD, “In Overdrive,” a
tribute to truck drivers.
“I was a truck driver once and I loved those old truck drivin’ tunes,
so I decided to bring them back,” said Tippin. “It is a lot of fun
because I have my fans singing along to my songs and these classic
songs. My concerts have become one big sing-along.”
While music, family and healthy living are the passions at the center
of Tippin’s world, he has plenty more. His concert this weekend will
also be a “toy raiser” for the Toys For Tots program.
“I have been a long-time supporter of Toys for Tots,” said Tippin.
Tippin often will build a bicycle on stage while singing. He has
built and given more than 600 bikes away to Toys for Tots. “Yes, I
will do that in Roscommon,” he says.
He has also been an active supporter of the troops in both
performances and his lyrics. During the first Gulf War (1990) Tippin
was the first entertainer to go over and entertain the troops. After
9/11 he released his most successful crossover single, “Where The
Stars and Stripes and The Eagle Fly,” and has been to Iraq every year
since at Thanksgiving performing for the troops.
“It is really special. I just got back from performing 10 shows in
eight days,” said Tippin.

HIGH FLYING
If all of that isn’t enough to keep Tippin busy, he owns three planes
and has a commercial pilot’s license. Plus, he keeps busy teaching his
11 and 9-year-old sons the art of hunting, fishing and just plain
being outdoors.
Tippin also has a passion for wine. He built a winery and has a
vineyard at his home in Tennessee. So, does he have plans to release
Aaron Tippin wines anytime soon?
“Well, what I have found is that in Tennessee it is not very conducive
to growing big reds, and in order to have a commercial winery license
in the state something like 80% of the wine you sell has to come from
grapes grown in Tennessee,” said Tippin. “So I have found it to be a
lot more beneficial being an amateur winemaker versus the commercial
route, but you never know.”
When Tippin comes to Northern Michigan he loves to visit the wineries,
though he won’t make it quite far enough to get to wine country this
time.
“I love big reds but I also love a variety of wines, including several
from Northern Michigan. In particular cherry wine,” said Tippin. “I
have been to a few wineries up there including Black Star Farms and we
love their cherry wine, I’m hoping to find it when I am in Michigan.”
As for the future, Tippin will be out promoting his new Aaron Tippin
Nutrition program in 2010 while maintaining his 100-plus concerts a
year.
So, is a new CD in the works?
“Well, last year the focus was on Thea’s new album, so next year it
will be on me,” said Tippin. “When I have further information I will
get back to you further, but for now I got to get the kids to school,
get over the jet lag and get into the studio and get ready to come up
and rock Roscommon.”

Aaron Tippin performs Saturday, December 12 at the Kirtland Center for
the Performing Arts. Concertgoers are asked to bring an unwrapped toy
for Toys for Tots. Kirtland is also offering a special dinner and
concert package with details at kirtland.cc.mi.us/kcpa or by calling
the box office at (989) 275-6777. For more information on Tippin check
out tippinnutrion.com

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