As the frontman for the hard-rock band Staind, Aaron Lewis is not exactly known for having a tear in his beer. But it turns out Lewis, who grew up in Vermont and Western Massachusetts, has a long history with country music. That will become more apparent when he shifts gears on his forthcoming debut solo album, “The Road,” set for release in September.

“When I was growing up, my grandfather was my baby sitter, and he was one of the biggest country fans out there,” says Lewis, who plays at the House of Blues on Sunday. “He would get up in the morning and turn on the country radio station. When it was time to go to bed, when he shut off the lights, he would turn off the radio.”

As such, Lewis was exposed to some seminal country artists, many of whom inspired his new album, including:

1. Hank Williams

2. Johnny Cash

3. Charley Pride

4. Waylon Jennings

5. George Jones

“That music was intertwined with all of my childhood memories,” Lewis says. “I couldn’t necessarily tell you the name of an album or a song, but it was just there. Once I moved away from Vermont, and my grandfather passed away, country music wasn’t around at all. That’s how I ended up going down the road with Staind.”

Already he’s seeing overlap in his different fan bases: “I’m starting to notice some cowboy hats at Staind shows, which is cool.”

Aaron Lewis performs at the House of Blues on Sunday,
8 p.m. Tickets: $26-$46. 800-745-3000, www.livenation.com