Aaron Lewis

Best known as the frontman for Staind, the hard rock group often lumped in with the nu-metal hard rock acts popular at the time, Aaron Lewis famously lent his gruff vocals to Staind’s moody power ballad “It’s Been Awhile,” a powerful breakup tune about trying to recover one’s self-esteem. It became the group’s biggest hit. Since leaving Staind, Lewis has gone in a different direction. He made his first foray into country with the 2011 EP Town Line, a six-song collection of tunes that hearken back to the time when country had yet to turn pop. He continued to explore his country roots with 2012’s The Road. He performs tonight at 7:30 at MGM Northfield Park — Center Stage.