Music was the first thing I did where I was naturally talented.

You have a career, and you start as a business person. And you work your way, you reach this peak, and you know the time's going to come when you go back down.

I did surveillance a lot, which sounds exciting, but it never was.

I have my views and obviously my music has connotations that lean toward what I believe, but I've learned through other artists' mistakes that I'm never going to use my career as a platform for politics, especially at shows. People come to hear music. It's my job to entertain them, and it's my escape too.

For each album, I let the music that I love at that point in my life be my guide.

I think I find new idols every day - someone that says something really inspiring, is successful, has character.

I don't know where "bro country" came from or what it really means, but a lot of those guys are my buddies and I ­support their music. Within ­country there are lots of styles: stone-cold country, like Brandy Clark, and there's Florida Georgia Line with what they do, which is completely different and bringing a whole new audience. There's room for everyone.