Jason Aldean Opens Up About His Approach To Parenting And Encouraging His Kid’s Dreams
The country star says he is trying his best to raise his kids right.
Jason Aldean, Brittany Aldean, Memphis and Navy; Photos via Instagram
Jason Aldean, a father of four, recently offered a glimpse into his parenting philosophy during an interview with Audacy’s Rob + Holly. The country star, 47, who has spent the majority of his life in the spotlight, reflected on the balance of raising his children while allowing them the freedom to forge their own paths in life.
“I think you just sort of raise your kids right, or try to do it the best how and instill certain things in ’em and you got to let ’em chase what they’re going to chase,” he shared, later adding, “You know what I mean?”
Aldean admits it would only be natural for one (or more) of his children to be drawn to the music industry.
“Obviously, with me being in the music business, it’s going to be something they’re going to grow up around their whole life,” he pointed out. “I mean, I wouldn’t be shocked if they wanted to do something in the music business. It wouldn’t be that shocking to me.”
The ACM Artist of the Decade went on to share that he will support his kids, no matter what path they choose, whether it involves music or not. He has no plans to persuade them into anything.
“I feel like just kind of let them figure it out. If they want to be a doctor, that’s cool too. If they want to open up a flower shop, I don’t care. As long as they’re happy and it’s what they want to do, I really don’t care.”
Aldean’s laid-back approach goes for all of his kids, including Keeley and Kendyl from his previous marriage, and Memphis and Navy, from his marriage to Brittany Aldean.
The Georiga native has been vocal about his approach to parenting, even through his music, most notably his recent radio single, “Let Your Boys Be Country.” Aldean says he cut the song specifically for his only son, Memphis, and was inspired to do so by the current ways of the world.
“The world’s nuts right now. I just kind of think about him and what this looks like for him as an adult and just as his dad, it’s my job to raise him up and get him prepared to be able to be a man and deal with whatever it is that he’s going to have to deal with,” Aldean explained. “But right now I just want him to focus on being a kid and just not worrying about anything and just doing what kids do and just prepare ’em for what’s to come later in life.”
While he admits that things were probably crazy when he was a kid too, Aldean hopes to navigate life with his kids similar to the way his parents did with him.
“I’m sure there were things that were crazy when I was a kid or whatever, and I’m sure my parents were talking about how crazy the world was back then too. It just seems like now it actually is really crazy,” he said. “But I think my parents did a great job of the same thing, just sort of letting me do my thing and be a kid. And we didn’t sit in there every night and watch the news so I could see what was going on in the world and the country was in war or whatever was going on. I was focusing on hanging out with my friends and playing baseball, playing sports or doing whatever.”
Jason Aldean is currently on the road on the latest leg of his HIghway Desperado Tour. His wife, Brittany, and youngest children, often join him on tour.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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