Aaron Anderson

In an age when you can’t spend four minutes on MySpace without tripping over 45 guys with acoustic guitars, highlights, and designer T-shirts, all from Nashville, every once in a while you come across an artist like singer/songwriter Aaron Anderson who manages to draw attention without a whole lot of effort (or highlights).

The 24-year-old Anderson, who studied guitar in high school with John York of The Byrds, was recently one of a handful of artists chosen by Jon Foreman of Switchfoot and Isaac Slade of The Fray to take part in an exclusive two-day artist’s retreat at the home of legendary writer/producer/artist Charlie Peacock in Nashville.

A 6-foot-1 former high school athlete from the Los Angeles suburb of Claremont, California, hometown of Ben Harper, Anderson was also recently invited to perform his own showcase at MTV for all of the network’s music supervisors. On April 17th he also sang the national anthem before over 75,000, and live on ESPN, at Phoenix International Raceway in Arizona for NASCAR.

Two years ago, while in college at Point Loma University in San Diego, Anderson was selected for and spent four months in the elite Contemporary Music Center on Martha's Vineyard, an intensive, artist development program.

Weeks before college graduation, with plans of moving to Los Angeles and entering the music business, Anderson sang and played guitar in a friend’s wedding, catching the attention of the former CEO of a label under Interscope/Geffen. Soon after, Anderson signed with the executive for management.

Shortly thereafter, Anderson caught the attention of an attorney at powerhouse entertainment law firm King Holmes Paterno & Berliner (Foo Fighters, Metallica, Marilyn Manson, Dr. Dre, Tori Amos), who ended up signing him for representation.

While writing and developing his music, Anderson met an artist named Mylin who was coming off an international major label deal. Mylin asked Anderson to play guitar and provide backing vocals in her band. The opportunity gave Anderson significant live show experience as Mylin played shows on Nick Lachey's Tour, with Five for Fighting, Patti LaBelle, Beth Hart, and Jonatha Brooke, amongst others. It also provided Anderson with the chance to gain valuable experience performing in larger venues, including a 10,000 seat amphitheatre in Georgia, the Nokia Theatre in New York City, Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Staples Center in Los Angeles, the Celebrity Theatre in Las Vegas, the Galaxy Theatre in Santa Ana, The Roxy in Hollywood, the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, as well as eight shows at U.S. military bases.

Soon after, with some of his new music in-hand, Anderson began playing his own shows, performing at some of Los Angeles' prominent venues, including The Hotel Caf�e, The Mint, Molly Malone's, and The Knitting Factory, where he opened for Beth Hart.

Anderson’s style of music has been described as a mix of John Mayer, Jason Mraz, and Jack Johnson, with more than one producer, including one with over 25 million album sales to his credit, referring to Anderson’s vocal ability as similar to Justin Timberlake.

In February of 2009 Anderson finished recording his debut EP, titled Green Sun Rising. He wrote all six tracks on the record, co-writing two of the songs with ASCAP Award-winning writer Paul Duncan, who also produced the EP.