While some artists find themselves changing because of record company politics or varying consumer trends, Tippin has built a successful career by forging his own path and sticking to his ideals.

With more than 5 million albums sold, he's come a long way from the aspiring singer/songwriter who moved to Nashville in 1986. A South Carolina native, Tippin had been a commercial pilot, but his love of music led him in a different direction. He first signed a songwriting deal with veteran publishing house Acuff-Rose, but it was his unique, traditional-to-the-core Country vocals that earned him a spot on the RCA Records roster in 1990. There he racked up a string of hits including "Workin' Man's Ph.D.," "My Blue Angel," and "I Got It Honest."

Early in his career, he signed with Starstruck Management for representation and met an energetic young woman from Montana, Thea Corontzos who would become Thea Tippin. "I thought he was a little cocky," recalled Thea of her first meeting with Aaron. "He was all buffed up and had this teeny weeny little T-shirt on. He just carried himself like a muscle man, but then all I had to do was talk to him for about five minutes to find out he was sweet. We established a great friendship and one thing led to another."

The couple married in 1995 and began building a life together. They left Starstruck to form their own management company, Tip Top Entertainment, and hired longtime friend Billy Craven to manage Aaron. "I did work at Starstruck for five years and learned so much over there," Thea said. "I'm a singer and songwriter and that's why I came to Nashville, but I was so, so lucky to work there. I worked in booking, management, publishing and promotions - every aspect of the business."

Aaron came into the music business with an entirely different kind of experience under his belt. "The first time I ever held the controls of an airplane I was 4 years old," he said. "My daddy was a professional pilot, so I grew up around it. When I was 14, I was working at the airport, flying and hanging out with my dad. I flew solo when I was 16. By the time I was 18, I was a professional pilot."

But the music industry held an allure he couldn't ignore. "The reason I came to Nashville is I wanted to be a Country singing star," he recalled with a smile. "I was on 'You Can Be a Star' (a talent contest that aired on The Nashville Network). I had a tape and I was taking it around to every record label and didn't hear anything back. So I started writing songs over at Acuff-Rose. I was living on $110 a week songwriting and I was selling vitamins on the side to make a living."

To save money, he would sing his own demos instead of hiring singers. One caught the attention of an executive at RCA who loved the traditional timbre of his voice and unique phrasing. Aaron signed with the label and spent eight successful years on RCA.

When they parted, he gave a lot of thought to his next move. "I took a couple years off and I wasn't sure if I wanted another record deal," he said. "Then Lyric Street came along."

Aaron had another string of hits including the audacious anthem "Kiss This" and the poignant, powerful "Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly," which became a rallying cry for the nation in the wake of September 11th. After seven years and four albums, he recently exited Lyric Street. He's currently in discussion with other labels, and if a deal doesn't materialize that he likes, he may start his own label and release his own product. "You've got to be fearless enough to believe in what you're doing," he said.

He's a busy man with lots of interests including making wine. Though Aaron and Thea have always worked together (she's involved in managing his business affairs and has sung back up for him on stage), in the past year they took their creative collaboration to a new level. "Thea had kind of put her career on hold," Aaron said. "Last year we put out a Christmas album, which I produced. It was something that gave her a chance to show her talent and we had fun doing it."

The album, He Said That He Was Jesus , was sold on the Tippin's Web site and at concerts. "We did a little Christmas tour, just targeted secondary markets," Thea explained. "Aaron was my sound guy. He would take charge and make sure everything was lined up like it was supposed to be. We took two of his (band) players with me and did an acoustic thing. Then Aaron would come up at the end and we'd do a duet together and he would do a couple of songs. It was so much fun."

Aaron says his wife's next project may be a gospel CD, which he'll produce. He is also writing material for a new Country album. It will feature a powerful new song, "He Believed," a tribute to his father, who passed away last year. He was close to his father and some of his fondest memories are of the time his dad spent on his farm with his boys, Teddy, 8, and Thomas, 5. His daughter Charla is married and living in South Carolina. "We're closer now than we've ever been," Aaron said.

Thea and Aaron have made balancing career and family an art. That's readily evident looking out from the front porch of the spacious log home where the family lives in Smithville, Tenn. He and the boys share a love of hunting and outdoors activities, while the couple makes music and tries their hand as budding wine makers. Aaron even invites his boys on stage from time to time for a moment in the spotlight, including at the 2005 CMA Music Festival.

"We take them everywhere we can," he said of his sons. "Our slogan is 'If they aren't welcome, then we probably aren't either.'"

Prioritizing family has paid off for the Tippins. Thea says people frequently ask her what it's like to work so closely with her husband. "A lot of husbands and wives cannot work together," she said, "but it's just all we've ever known. I think it works because we have similar goals and we both love music. We both want to write songs and when you put all that together, it works great."

This year, Aaron celebrates 20 years in Country Music. As he stands ready to launch a new chapter in his career, what has he learned this far? "I guess what I've learned is to be true to yourself," he said. "In the end that's what counts the most."

On the Web: aarontippin.com

Stand Still, Look Pretty, their Maverick Records / Warner Bros. Records Nashville debut, released on May 23, is an intriguing blend of singer-songwriter sensibilities and heartfelt Country roots, all served up with a 21st century sonic wallop. 

For Branch and Harp, who were both working on successful pop careers when they met, the evolution of The Wreckers was as organic as the music on their debut. With friends constantly telling them that one reminded them of the other, the two artists began their collaboration by e-mail, eventually bonding over their favorite indie releases. They finally met face-to-face in a Kansas City airport terminal, and Harp was soon on the road singing background vocals in Branch's band. When post-show jam sessions started gelling into Country-inflected songs, the duo knew they were onto something, and Branch suddenly saw the answer to the nagging question, "What's next?"

Heading to New York, The Wreckers hooked up with producer John Leventhal (Rosanne Cash, Shawn Colvin, Patty Larkin), who had worked with Branch on her last release, Hotel Paper, recording the bulk of what would become Stand Still, Look Pretty. Los Angeles producer John Shanks (Sheryl Crow, Pink) and Nashville hitmaker Paul Worley (Big & Rich, Martina McBride) also helped to flesh out The Wreckers' sound. Although Branch and Harp contributed 10 of their own songs to their debut, the album's leadoff single, "Leave the Pieces," was written by Nashville tunesmiths Jennifer Hanson and Billy Austin. 

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

Which song would you secretly like to cover? 
HARP: "There is a song that I love to cover and do often, so it's not really a secret, and that is 'Angel from Montgomery,' written by John Prine and performed by Bonnie Raitt. It's a beautiful song that I have loved since I was a kid when my Dad played it for me. It was one of Michelle's favorites as well. Maybe another reason we were destined to end up together!"

What song do you wish you had written?
BRANCH: "Joan Osborne's 'What if God was One
of Us.'" 

Who is your dream duet partner?
BRANCH:  "Jessica Harp!"
HARP: "Besides Michelle, my dream duet partner would probably be Wynonna Judd. I have loved that woman and her voice for as long as I can remember, and she has definitely influenced me in many ways. Although if that ever really got to happen, I'd probably end up being too nervous to speak, let alone sing!

What CD is on your stereo?
HARP: "My favorite record at the moment is Miranda Lambert's. I love her voice, and her songwriting reminds me of the way I write. She's just a fabulous artist."
BRANCH: "Dwight Yoakam's, Blame It on the Vain ."

What do you sing in the shower?
HARP: "I don't sing in the shower. I guess I figure because I sing pretty much the rest of the time, I should concentrate on getting my hair washed and my legs shaved when I'm in the shower!"

What book is on your nightstand?|
BRANCH: "Babies - A Week By Week Guide."

On the Web: thewreckers.com

Photo courtesy of Maverick Records / Warner Bros. Records Nashville