When I was 13 or 14, I took seven months off from touring. I did a lot of weekend gigs in Louisiana. We have fairs and festivals every weekend. But I took seven months off. That's when I really started digging deep. I wrote a couple songs that year that I still play every now and then for people.

As a new artist - I don't care who you talk to - I think everyone would agree, it's hard to get your expectations right.

All the people I hung out with were musicians.

I'm a nerd. Total geek. I never went to homecoming or prom or anything.

I could be myself. I'm very shy and awkward. I think the best thing is to embrace it.

Yes, I did lock myself in my room for about two years and write some songs and things like that. But I don't feel like I missed out on a whole lot.

I was addicted to playing music.