Aaron Tippin plays benefit for Sanger Veterans Memorial Park

For nearly his entire career, Aaron Tippin has had a nightly ritual.

“Every night, for 25 years, I finished the show, wiped off the sweat and I went out and signed autographs until everyone was gone,” says the Florida country singer, in town Sunday, Aug. 9, for a benefit show with Aly Sutton, Gregor Ross and the Hosstyle Band and Greg Guerra.

Obviously, it wasn’t every show and every night. There were times when he was sick, or had an hours-long trek to the next tour stop. He missed a few nights, but he can count them on one hand.

Tippin was part of the explosion of new traditionalist country artists that saw commercial success in the early ’90s. His songs — “You’ve Got to Stand for Something,” “Working Man’s Ph.D.” — were up-tempo honky-tonk tunes, sentimental ballads and working-man anthems, often with a patriotic bend.

For the past few years, Tippin has been touring with other throwback country acts on The Roots and Boots tour. That tour stopped in February at Tachi Palace with Sammy Kershaw, Darryl Worley and James Otto.

Right now, the singer is touring in support of his latest album, the aptly titled “25 Years.” The two-disk, 25-track celebration of Tippin’s career features 10 of his classics, plus 10 new songs and five cover song tunes.

These are songs you wouldn’t expect from Tippin. For instance, Frank Sinatra.

“In the studio we called him Hank Sinatra,” Tippin says.

The last song on the record is a cover of Al Green “Let’s Stay Together” — a duet with Tippin’s 14-year-old son, Tom.

Covering a ’70s soul classic might be a stretch for Tippin. That was the point. The album celebrates a milestone in his career. He wanted to do something different for his fans.

“They’re always anxious to see what I’m going to do next,” he says.

The album is available on Tippin’s website. Of course, he would rather you wait and buy it at the live show. Stick around and he will sign it for you and thank you in person.

“That’s what I’d really rather have,” he says.

This story was originally published August 6, 2015 at 8:00 AM with the headline "Aaron Tippin plays benefit for Sanger Veterans Memorial Park."