I mean, the last thing I want to do is be involved in politics.

I like big shows, a lot of volume and a lot of energy. I love electric instruments. But I do love mixing those with bluegrass instruments and cranking those up, too, with a little bit of that rock energy.

As a songwriter, you might write every day and throughout the course of a year you might get four songs that are really special.

My dad and grandpa were in the army and as a country singer you're constantly playing at military bases all across the country and meeting soldiers and their families and hearing their stories.

I'm a huge fan of Billy Idol. I spiked my hair every day like him in 7th and 8th grade.

I try to make an album that reflects what I love about country music. It's not just all about happy parties all the time. There are some sad songs.

I'm part of the party, getting the crowd fired up, singing songs, pouring drinks, whatever it takes to get them to have a good time. When I walk into the meet-and-greet, someone's always going to have a story, a sad story or a happy story.