When the show opens, fans can text to a number we flash up on the screen, and then we do a meet-and-greet with 60 to 80 people every night. It's something I love doing, and I would say that's probably more fans than most artists bring backstage after a show.

People hear me talk and they know my background and they immediately stereotype me as being a real, real country guy, and that's the right stereotype. But you also want people to know you're a little broader than that, too.

I'll always have songs with a farm connotation on my albums. It's in the fabric of my music, and I plan to keep it that way.

I'm a big sports fan in general.

Anything I've ever read by John Irving has been really well written.

A big part of country music is a way of life, at least from my standpoint. That's how I craft my music from my own life experiences.

Just really, really believe in what you're trying to do. Don't let people alter that. Let people advise you and lead you down paths to make smart business decisions. But trust your instinct and trust that overwhelming drive that made you put all your dreams and everything on the line.