I think it says wonders about people that can write an entire album, and put out an entire album of great songs. I mean, the Brad Paisley's, Alan Jackson especially, even Taylor Swift - those people can really pen great stuff.

I would never do anything that makes the perception of country music worse.

The risks are 'How country can you go?' rather than 'How rock can you take it?'

I'm a traditional country singer and we're always trying to make that a fresh and modern sound. That's always going to be the challenge with me.

Life on the road is very different from a normal, day to day life, and sometimes that surrealistic existence can have an effect on you, you tend to forget that's not really how things are supposed to be. But there comes a point where you have to pace yourself and find a place in your mind where you can be real.

I want to see success right away. And I want to never give up, never stop.

I wanted to make a traditional record that had a lot of art and showed my vulnerable side and showed things I'm passionate about.