That's what I love about Nashville and the music community - seeing kids around acoustic music and bluegrass picking parties is the best.

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

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 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.

You cant write about stuff you dont know about. You have to live it. You have to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. Live life to be a good songwriter.

No, as an artist, you have to be free to explore all the corners of your heart. There are no boundaries.

I also was a huge 'Dukes of Hazzard' fan. I used to have T-shirts that said 'Dierks of Hazzard' custom-made.