Married and divorced, three beautiful daughters, two in college. The other one is 16, lives with her mom. I'm 46, I've worked for the Post Office for 18 years, seven facilities in three states.

I'd just hit the Billboard thing, and I had a good feeling. About a month ago, I received a call that said I was in the running, that I'd made the final 25. So I just wanted to place.

It's not an act, it's just my way.

I liked the way they treated the first, second, and third place finishers equally. It was an amazing year. I only entered two song contests this year; I won one and placed second in the other. And I entered each of them a day or two before the deadline.

I'm proud to be paying taxes in the United States. The only thing is - I could be just as proud for half the money

You know, it sounds corny, but I believe in myself. And I work hard.

As corny as it may sound, my true goal was to crack the Americana market.