Today we feature an artist whose career started as the leader of a successful hard rock band, but in the last few years he has ventured out on a solo career that has taken him to where his heart truly called, country music. An artist who has never shied away from controversy, including confrontations with abusive fans an calling out "America's Sweetheart".

IEBA Conference Day 2
Aaron Lewis performs during the CAA Party at IEBA Conference Day 2 at the War Memorial Audorium on October 8, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for IEBA
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New Hampshire native Aaron Lewis has never been one to shy away from controversy or an unworn path. As the front man for the hard rock band Staind, Lewis recorded 8 albums with the band, often using their music to focus on family issues, unusual for the genre, and Lewis' own personal struggles. Lewis always seemed to shy away from the limelight, choosing, as tended to say, to let his music tell his story.

Lewis and the band took a hiatus in 2010 while the singer recorded then toured to support his debut solo EP Town Line, which surprised almost everyone when it was released and found to be a country album. Those who know Lewis were not surprise as the singer has written and performed songs acoustically that had a country feel to them since he was 17. The first single off the album, "Country Boy" featured George Jones, Charlie Daniels and Chris Young; you don't get much more country than that! Lewis attributed his country leanings to his grandfather, who introduced the young Aaron to country music, and his interest was rekindled when Staind toured with Kid Rock.

"Spike's Rock the Troops" - Show
Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Spike
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Lewis released his first full length solo album, also a country project, The Road, in 2012. The only single from the album, "Endless Summer" would hit the country chart, but when Staind regrouped for a tour in 2012, it seemed Lewis country career had came to an end. But after touring four 2 years, Lewis again called a halt to Staind in 2014, re-entering the studio to work on a new country project, signaling a possible permanent return to the genre.

While promoting The Road, Lewis stirred up controversy when during an interview, he openly criticized "America's Sweetheart" Carrie Underwood, for her song "Last Name" which Lewis points out is about a girl who hooks up with a guy in a club and ends up marrying him without even knowing his last name. Lewis, as the father of two daughter's, took the opinion that this set a bad example for Underwood's young female fans. He further stated that even if Underwood didn't write most of the song, he as a performer couldn't record a song that didn't represent his personal values.

2013 Arizona Country Thunder Music Festival - Day 4
Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images For Country Thunder
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Lewis released his latest album, Sinner, in September of 2016, and we have the second single in our spotlight today, a song that sheds its own spotlight on this upcoming holiday weekend. Brought to you by All American Super Car Wash of Lawton, "Folded Flag" is today's Catch of the Day, new music you haven't heard, but you'll want to hear it again.

Like, comment or share our feature, and you will be entered into our drawings for a $25 gift card from All American Super Car Wash of Lawton, bringing you new music every day, the Catch of the Day, on Oklahoma's Best Country, KLAW101.

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