Blending the down-home feel and regular-guy outlook of contemporary country with music that makes room for a layer of pop polish and a dash of rock & roll energy, Aaron Goodvin became a success in the country music community after leaving his native Canada for Nashville. A songwriter who can write about high-spirited good times ("Lonely Drum," "Take It to the House") or the love of his life ("Woman in Love," "Miss Me Yet") with equal sincerity, Goodvin rose to fame in both Canada and the United States after his debut album spawned three successful singles. Aaron Goodvin was born in Spirit River, Alberta. He became interested in music early in life, and when he was 12, he performed in public for the first time when he entered a singing competition sponsored by a local shopping center. While he was attending high school, he and his family headed Southeast and settled in St. Albert. After he turned 18, he began writing songs and formed his first band. As he gained experience, Goodvin had his eye on stardom, and when he was 25, he took a big step by leaving Canada for Nashville, Tennessee, having already been to the Music City to try and shop his songs. Goodvin sang his songs in every beer joint that would have him, and in time he landed a publishing contract with Warner Chappell Music. His career took the next step forward when "Out Like That," a tune he co-wrote with Adam Sanders and Cole Swindell, was recorded by Luke Bryan and appeared on his 2013 album Crash My Party. While the Luke Bryan cut helped Goodvin make his name as a songwriter, fellow Canadian country artist Johnny Reid mentored him as a performer, offering his valuable advice and taking him on the road as his opening act. The Canadian branch of Warner Music saw potential in Goodvin and offered him a recording contract. His self-titled debut album was released in April 2016, and it became a major success in Canada, spawning three singles that peaked in the Canadian Country Top Ten, "Woman in Love," "Miss Me Yet," and "Lonely Drum." (The latter would also become the only Canadian Country single to go platinum in 2017 or 2018.) 2018 saw him named Entertainer of the Year at the Alberta Country Music Awards, and Songwriter of the Year (for "Lonely Drum") at the Canadian Country Music Awards. Touring and playing festivals kept Goodvin occupied as he wrote the songs for his second album, V, which was released in February 2019 and featured the singles "You Are" and "Bars and Churches." ~ Mark Deming
