Aaron Watson Continues to Build a Career on Music Meant to Soothe Hurting Hearts

Aaron Watsonhas seen his share of pain. In fact, as the son of a disabled Vietnam war veteran, the West Texas native spent many a day as a young man going to the VA hospital with his dad, witnessing the plight of men and women who proudly fought for this country, men and women left to deal with the physical and mental leftovers of war. It’s a vision he still can’t get out of his head.

Aaron Watson Opens Up About the Vocal Cord Injury That Changed Everything: 'It's Been Pretty Frustrating'

Aaron Watson.Photo: Lindsey Cotton Aaron Watsonhas nevernotsung. But that’s exactly where the country music troubadour from Texas currently finds himself as he releases his much-anticipated new albumUnwanted Man. Because while he should be out on the road singing the songs his fans have been anxiously awaiting, Watson isnotspeaking,notperforming and definitelynotsinging. “This is the first time in 20 years and probably 2,500 shows where I’ve been physically incapable of singing,” Watson tells PEOPLE in a recent interview, done over email due to his ongoing vocal cord injury.

Aaron Watson Will Donate $1.41 from Each Sale of His New Album to the Rebuild Texas Fund

AlthoughAaron Watsonhas been singingcountry musicfor nearly 18 years, he feels like he’s just getting started. “Kris Kristoffersonsaid, ‘Write a thousand songs, then throw them away. Now you’re ready to be a writer,'” Watson tells PEOPLE, recalling a quote from one of his songwriting icons. “I really feel like I’m just getting to that point in my career where I am really starting to hone in on my craft.” Watson just released his 14th studio album titledAaron Watson Live at the World’s Biggest Rodeo Show, which marks his first live album in nearly a decade.

Aarti Sequeira Combines Southern Staples for Her Sweet Tea Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin Recipe

Aarti Sequeira’s Sweet Tea Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin.Photo:Fred Hardy II Fred Hardy II “When it was just too hot to do anything, my friend’s grandmother would call off all the chores and shoo everyone to the rocking chairs for a glass of ice cold sweet tea,” says the author of the newUnwindcookbook, whomoved to Raleigh, N.C. with her family in 2020from Los Angeles. “And since this is the also the land of whole hog BBQ, I wondered how I could marry sweet tea with pork.

Aarón Sánchez Says He's 'Amazed' by the Talent on 'MasterChef Junior' : 'So Much Potential'

Photo: FOX Aarón Sánchez is back to judge anotherMasterChef Junioronce again, joining Gordon Ramsay and Daphne Oz for season 8 of the hit Fox competition series, which premieres Thursday. It’s something the award-winning chef, best-selling cookbook author, and philanthropist tells PEOPLE he loves doing, especially when it comes to “being able to guide” the show’s “amazing and talented young” contestants. “It’s an absolute ball,” Sánchez says, in an exclusive chat. “I’m a dad — trust me, I relate to their age group.