Early in my songwriting career, when I was learning a lot about writing songs, I'd force myself to sit down until I came up with something.

Probably fishing is my first passion.

You always have to work to become a better singer, songwriter and performer.

'Dirt Road Diaries,' in my mind, is a perfect country guy song. It speaks to the hard-working guy, and I'm excited for the fans to hear that one.

Nothing is more frustrating to me than putting a song on an album and regret putting it on there. I'm excited that there are no songs on 'Tailgates & Tanlines' that I'm iffy about.

You know, if Kelly Clarkson wants to do country albums because that’s what inspires her, then let her do it. Look at Kanye West or Ludacris ... they aren’t rappin’ and cussin’ like they were on their first few albums, so what does that make them? It’s all in the eye of the beholder and the listener. We all use our outlet to grow ourself.

Even with all the negativeness of the whole social media thing, I still think it's leaps and bounds more positive.