I'd always been a fan growing up, and in high school, I was really into Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen.

There are about five or six songs that were written in full or in part while I was in Iraq, and that was definitely a life-changing experience. There was no shortage of inspiration.

I'd always been a fan growing up, and in high school, I was really into Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen.

I love most 70's song writers, not so much outlaw, but really those 70's guys. I'm a big fan of Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, those guys.

On the music side, I'm a cross between maybe that Texas songwriter and that Tom Petty feel.

Before too long I was playing badly out in some bars around Memphis, but as soon as I learned a few chords I started writing my own stuff.

I was 35 years old and not in the best of shape. I spent many late nights playing music, drinking beer, and eating Taco Bell.