Aaron Lewis on Being Blacklisted from Radio & Why Record Labels Intentionally Promote Terrible Music

Key Takeaways

Aaron Lewis described country music as 'popified' and 'less American,' attributing changes to industry consolidation.
Lewis detailed music industry exploitation, including 'indentured servant' contracts and negligible streaming payments.
Public criticisms of President Obama and a border incident led to Lewis being labeled 'racist' by media.
Lewis expressed concerns over generational responsibility and the dismantling of the 'fabric of this country.'
Questioning the Ukraine-Russia war narrative resulted in backlash, though Lewis's record label president defended his free speech.
Lewis critiques Bruce Springsteen for losing touch with working-class origins and engaging in 'virtue signaling'.

Guest Aaron Lewis described modern country music as unrecognizable, stating it has undergone a 'popification' due to an 'infiltration by California' and industry consolidation.
He claims the genre has become 'less American' and 'more international,' lacking its pure soul, resembling a 'land of the misfit toys'.
Lewis transitioned to country after his contract with the rock band Stained concluded, facing challenges as he had to rebuild his audience in a new genre.
The guest and host debated whether traditional country artists like Merle Haggard could succeed in today's contemporary country radio scene.

Aaron Lewis reported being blacklisted from country radio due to his opinions, yet completed 175-180 sold-out shows last year.
He characterized artists as 'indentured servants' to record labels, noting all payments are loans, with 25% going to the label before management, legal, and tax deductions.
Lewis claimed he generated 80 times more revenue for his label than he received and stated that, despite over a billion Spotify streams, he received no substantial payment due to intermediaries.
Record labels adopted '360 deals' over the past 28 years, entitling them to a share of artists' merchandise and live performance earnings.

Aaron Lewis stated that conflicts with corporate entities over his political views began around the time of the 2008 Obama election.
He publicly criticized President Obama's actions as 'unconstitutional' and 'borderline treasonous' to TMZ, leading to him being labeled a 'racist'.
An incident at a border-area show where Lewis stated, 'I don't speak Spanish. I'm American,' resulted in media backlash, including a 'hit piece' from Perez Hilton.
Lewis engaged in heated political discussions with his record label president, while the host noted the division of people by 'partisan addiction'.

Aaron Lewis recounted a 'lonely' childhood living in a hunting camp in Vermont, later transitioning to a middle-class neighborhood after his father's $1,500 investment.
He maintains a deep passion for hunting and fishing, detailing deer season traditions at his family farm in Danby, Vermont, and a personal shift from rifle to bow hunting.
Lewis highlighted his enjoyment of upland bird hunting, particularly quail, contrasting it with the more strenuous New England grouse hunting.
He described grouse hunting as a 'poor man's sport' due to its difficulty, while quail hunting is a 'rich man's sport' due to costs and scarcity of wild birds.

Aaron Lewis criticized Bruce Springsteen as a 'disgusting display' who has forgotten his working-class origins, claiming he 'duped' the public with the 'anti-American song' 'Born in the USA'.
He asserted his generation grew up in an 'unracially driven' society, judging character over skin color, calling it 'the best our country has ever been'.
Lewis argued that 'Democrats and communists' 'thrive in chaos' and create division to prevent 'shared country pride', a sentiment the host echoed.
Lewis expressed concern that generational responsibility has been neglected for 30 years and that the 'fabric of this country' is being dismantled.

Aaron Lewis noted a societal shift from unquestioned feelings of safety and trust to these feelings being 'extinct', stating he lives where a house key is not needed.
Since the COVID-19 shutdown, he has traveled across America primarily by bus, observing the country firsthand.
After 30 years on the road, Lewis reports observing the crumbling of 'flyover states,' with boarded-up businesses and deserted downtowns where local shops are replaced by chains like Dollar General.
The host questioned why politicians prioritize international issues like Iran or Ukraine while rural areas in their own states decline.

Aaron Lewis's 2022 statement suggesting listening to Vladimir Putin led to significant backlash, including the loss of external employees.
The host emphasized that artists should be allowed to express unconventional views in a healthy society, as their role is to pursue truth and challenge assumptions.
Lewis stated that his sales were unaffected despite a song being widely disliked by industry figures, confirming an industry call for his cancellation and the loss of his record deal.
His controversial song, 'Am I the Only One,' was a patriotic critique of COVID-19 shutdowns and perceived government overreach.

Aaron Lewis stated he could perform country music indefinitely, unlike his more taxing 'Stained' performances, but acknowledged the business aspect can diminish the love for music.
The host drew an analogy between the music business and the porn industry, asserting that making a good thing a business diminishes it.
Lewis described music industry profiteers as 'leeches' who parasite off artists' creations, though he expressed gratitude for his record label president's support.
He named Kid Rock as a 'good guy' in the industry and stated he would not want his children to enter the music business due to sacrifices and missed life events.