Jason Aldean, sticking to country rockin' roots, to play Gwinnett Arena

If not for chart tornado Taylor Swift, Aldean would be celebrating his first No. 1 album.

But winning the silver medal is still gratifying for the humble Aldean, who performed on the Country Music Association Awards last week with Kelly Clarkson despite the organization’s continued snubbing of his accomplishments.

“The industry-voted awards have always been the same. The fact that I’m on a smaller label has always hurt our chances at those shows,” Aldean, 33, said recently. “I don’t waste a lot of time worrying about that stuff. At the end of the day, everybody wants to get a pat on the back and get recognition, but at the same time, I’ve never felt like my career is going to be defined by how many awards I’ve won.”

That said, the day after the blue-collar country hero wraps his fall tour at the Gwinnett Arena on Saturday, he’ll zip to Los Angeles for the fan-voted American Music Awards on Sunday night. There, he does have some nomination love -- he’s up for favorite country male artist and favorite country album, for 2009’s “Wide Open.”

But that album, which spawned the No. 1 hits “She’s Country,” “Big Green Tractor” and “The Truth,” is already in Aldean’s rearview mirror now that “Party” is impacting radio with its top 10 title track and the new power ballad with Clarkson.

Even though some country acts -- such as Sugarland -- have provoked purists because of their less-than-traditional sound, Aldean said he had no concerns pulling in Clarkson, who is managed by Reba McEntire’s husband, Narvel Blackstock.

“It’s funny, people always worry about country artists trying to cross over and that’s a big no-no. But you have artists in other genres who, when their careers take a turn down, they jump to country to rejuvenate them,” Aldean said. “I don’t have any interest in being a crossover act. I don’t want to be a pop singer. I want to be a country singer.”

But no need to worry, fans. Aldean’s roots as a country rocker are intact on “Party,” which features the roll-down-the-windows “Dirt Road Anthem” and a paean to “Fly Over States.”

His rowdy spirit also drives his live show, and fans are forewarned that there isn’t much sitting down once Aldean hits the stage.

“We know that people come to shows just to escape the craziness of whatever they had going on that week and it’s our job to go out for two hours and give them that escape,” he said. “We’re there to entertain, and if we see that somebody isn’t up and enjoying themselves, we’ll make fun of ‘em. There’s a party goin’ on, and we’re the master of ceremonies.”

Concert preview

Jason Aldean with Luke Bryan

7:30 p.m. Saturday. $34.75-$39.75. Gwinnett Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 770-813-7500, www.gwinnettcenter.com.