He's a seasoned singer and an award-winning Gospel songwriter whose career spans more than 25 years. These days, though, Aaron Wilburn is tuned in to a joyful noise of a different sort. He hears it every night in the laughter of audiences who recognize themselves - their failings as well as their faith - in his gentle brand of humor.

"I traveled for years performing at churches, conferences and so on, just telling my stories between songs," says Aaron. "People don't come to church expecting to laugh, but laughter opens a door to the heart." In 1999 he performed his first big show as a humorist, at Oral Roberts University for promoter Frank Arnold. Today, he's in demand in a variety of settings: corporate, church and conference appearances, and as a part of the Gaither Homecoming Tour.

"People say 'I like your act,'" Aaron says. "It's no act - that's who I am." Raised in Alabama, he celebrates his Southern roots, traveling far and wide as an ambassador from 'the land of Y'all,' where "you can say just about anything about anybody, as long as you say 'bless his heart.'"

Aaron Wilburn's observations range wide, and while his humor is often pointed, his jokes always reflect the values he holds most dear. "If I can't tell it in church, or tell it to my kids," he says, "I won't tell it at all." That leaves plenty of room for his warm and winning humor:

On religion: You know you're a Baptist if you've ever made change from the offering plate.

On parenthood: Being a parent makes you stupid. First you introduce yourself to your own kids: 'This is your father speaking to you.' Then you ask: 'Who do you think I am?'

On discipline: We need to take some mamas like my mama, we need to put 'em in some cars, and let 'em do some drive-by whuppin's"

On growing older: Lately I've been thinking of the hereafter. I go from room to room wondering, 'What am I here after?'

In his more than 25 years of writing and performing Christian music, Aaron Wilburn has earned a shelf full of awards, for hit songs like "Four Days Late," recorded by Karen Peck, which topped the Singing News chart for three months, and "What A Beautiful Day (For The Lord To Come Again)," by the Happy Goodman Family, which stayed at #1 for 13 months, and was named 1975's Song of The Year. His music has been recorded by some of the all-time greats of Gospel, from the Shiriey Caesar, to The Mighty Clouds of Joy, to the Gaither Vocal Band.

Aaron's 150-night-a-year schedule takes him on the road for at least part of every week. Luckily, his son Jim, 28, a commercial-rated pilot, gets him home to spend time with his wife Roberta, and his two younger children, son Tyler, 12 and daughter Emily Brooke, 8.

The 'Redneck Boy In The Hood' has a new home on the Internet at www.aaronwilburn.com, complete with his touring schedule, photos and guest book, and an order form for videos and CDs. Recently, Aaron was flattered to receive an email

through the web site, from a young fan who says he grew up on "Bless His Heart." These days, people approach Aaron Wilburn in airports, in restaurants. "They'll ask me, 'Aren't you Bless-His-Heart,'" says Wilburn with a chuckle. "They may not know my name, but they all know what I'm talking about."

The question Aaron Wilbum is asked most these days is WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? For the past 25 years, Aaron has ministered in churches from California to his native Alabama ... telling his stories in between the songs he has written ... from the 1975 song of the year, "What A Beautiful Day (For the Lord to Come Again)" by the Happy Goodman Family, "It's Beginning to Rain" and "It Won't Rain Always" written with Bill and Gloria Gaither, "No Fishin" from the Irish Homecoming video, sung by Jake Hess, and the #1 hit recorded by Karen Peck and New River, "Four Days Late," which received a Dove Award nomination and was named 2001 Song of the Year by both the SGMA and Singing News Fan Awards.

Within minutes after taking the stage, he's the guy next door (with a twisted sense of humor added). Aaron Wilburn makes you feel like he's been reading your diary—listening in on your conversations, and you even begin to wonder if maybe he hasn't spent a little time with some of those relatives you're glad you see only once a year --- Bless Their Hearts!!!

Aaron takes everyday life and turns it into a laugh ... from parenting to marriage -- he wades right into the water, and brings out a bucketful of laughter and showers the audience with joy!!! These days the Humor of Aaron Wilburn is bringing a smile to literally hundreds of thousands of faces in concerts, and in the Gaither Homecoming Events.

THE SECRET IS OUT!!! ..... and George Younce of the Cathedrals said it best ... AARON WILBURN IS A ONE MAN SHOW! HE'S A FUNNY MAN!!!!!!

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