I love Soundgarden, I love Rage Against the Machine, Simon & Garfunkel.

I think I can connect with an audience because I know what it's like to be on the other side of it and I really remember all of that.

I love knowing that people are connecting to my lyrics, my music and me.

Writing on the road is a passion of mine.

If youve ever lived in Chicago, anyone who has, they know what a winter in Chicago is like. To be going through a tough time here in the winter would be just be all the more worse.

I will always appreciate 'American Idol,' and I never forget about where I come from.

I like that I stand for something like American Idol which helps musicians and artists get out there. It's important to have shows like Idol because it's so hard to get into the music industry nowadays - nearly impossible.