Back in September, TMZ posted photos of MARRIED JASON ALDEAN wrapped around former "American idol" contestant BRITTANY KERR at a Hollywood nightclub. They were kissing and hugging and appeared to be ready to close the deal . . . but then a video surfaced showing Jason leaving the club on his own with some buddies. 

(photos from TMZ. Click Here for more)  

Almost immediately, the spinning and apologies began.  Jason did his mea culpa on his Facebook page . . . saying it was just an alcohol-infused moment and nothing else happened. Brittany also apologized, calling it a "lapse of judgment" and "swore" that she didn't know he was married.  Nobody believed her because that video of him leaving the club showed he was wearing a wedding band. 

Jason probably wanted to hide under a rock for a while . . . but he couldn't because he HAD to promote his new album "Night Train".  That meant weeks of him answering the same questions over and over about the whole mess. He told "CMT Insider" that it's "more embarrassing than anything else" . . . and later said he understands that with fame, you "take the good with the bad."

Finally, on November 16th . . . about a month and a half after the chaos went down . . . Jason and his wife Jessica made their first public appearance together on "CBS This Morning". They showed a united front and said "they're doing fine" . . . even though it "hasn't been a bed of roses."