Local residents and country music fans were on hand last week as a dedication ceremony was held for the new Aaron Tippin Alley in downtown Smithville. The ceremony was held on Tuesday, April 8, which saw the city streets closed down for the large crowd gathered for the event.

Tippin was honored with the alley by the Smithville City Board last year, but the finishing touches on the artwork and signs are now complete for the formal dedication. The site is located between Main Street and Market Street, across from the previously named “John Anderson Alley” dedicated to another hometown country music performer.

During the dedication ceremony, Smithville Mayor Josh Miller spoke about Tippin’s career and his involvement in the local community.

“Aaron Tippin, born on July 3, 1958, in Pensacola Florida, known for his authentic, blue-collar anthems that resonate deeply with the working class. Raised in Greer, South Carolina, Tippin’s early life was marked by diverse experiences including working as a farm hand, welder, truck driver, and commercial pilot, which later inspired many of his songs.

“Aaron’s music career began to take shape in the 1970s when he performed in local honky-tonks. His big break came in 1990 when he signed with RCA Nashville releasing his debut single ‘You’ve Got to Stand for Something.’ This song not only became a top 10 hit, but also served as an anthem for U.S. soldiers during the Gulf War, cementing his place in country music history.

“His signature hits include ‘There Ain’t Nothin’ Wrong with the Radio,’ ‘Kiss This’ and post-9/11 patriotic song ‘Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly.’

“Every time we call Aaron to help with events, he is always there. If he’s in town, he’s there and he helps. I don’t know how many remember this, but back in 2018, there was something with all the police departments across the state and maybe even the country. It was a lip-sync challenge and if you haven’t seen it, you need to go to YouTube and watch it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vdej81yo7oE.

“Throughout his career, Aaron has released nine studio albums, with six achieving gold status and one platinum. His songwriting talent was also recognized early on, with songs written for artists like The Kingsmen, Mark Collie, and Charley Pride before his recording career took off.

“Beyond music, after moving to DeKalb County in 1994, Aaron Tippin has shown his entrepreneurial spirit by opening Aaron Tippin Firearms stores and by founding his own record label, Nippit Records, in 2006. His personal life includes his marriage to Thea in 1995, with whom he has two children. Tippin’s commitment to his community and love for country music makes him a beloved figure in Smithville, where he has also contributed to local businesses and cultural life.

“The dedication of Aaron Tippin Alley in downtown Smithville is a tribute to his contributions to music, his connection to the local community, and his embodiment of the hard-working spirit.”

Tippin was joined by his family during a ribbon cutting for the alley and spoke to the crowd. “I was raised on a farm in South Carolina, and I wanted to get back to the country,” said Tippin. “That’s what I wanted to do. Get out of Nashville. We started looking the first place we ever looked was in Alexandria. We had lunch at the Alexandria Café, and I told her (Thea) ‘Honey, there ain’t no way we are ever moving this far out of town.’”

“So along came the Bass farm for sale. They told me where it was and I said, ‘Man, that’s a long ways out there.’ I said I’ll go look at it. So, I got in a pickup and got out there, stuck my old .45 in my pocket, and started walking out just a looking around, and about that time an eight-point buck walked right up over the hill in front of me. And I said ‘SOLD!’”

“Since then, our two youngest children have been here their whole lives. My oldest child worked in the drug store and went to college at Tennessee Tech and a lot of her life has been here. We have had the opportunity to raise our children here. It’s been an incredible community. You guys have been great, and we are proud to call ourselves folks from DeKalb County,” said Tippin.