To be the name on somebody's shirt that they've made themselves in preparation for one of your shows - it doesn't get much cooler than that.

My mom makes the best Cajun stuff. I'm a big gumbo guy. I've lost a lot of my Louisiana accent, so now when I say 'gumbo,' I feel like someone who's never said the word before.

When you hear his music, mine will all of a sudden make sense.

I have a string of competitiveness in me. It's really strange 'cause it's not something that I would even expect myself to have, but every now and then it kinda sneaks out, you know.

My dad said 'When you love what you do, you never work a day in your life,' and I agree with that.

I've always been shy, but I see that as a good thing because it kept me focused on music. When I was in seventh grade, I asked my parents for a mobile recording system for Christmas, and I got it. I didn't come out of my room for years after that. I'd get invited to the movies and I'd say, 'I'm gonna finish a couple of demos.'

Anyone who tells you they're not nervous playing on the CMAs stage, I'm afraid they're not telling you the whole story.