I grew up listening to Frank Sinatra, riding in the car with my grandpa, and I was just intrigued by it.
I broke my uncle's toy as a kid and never told him about it.
I was about to walk on stage at the Kansas Speedway - I was playing a NASCAR race - and I said to Scooter Carusoe, who was standing side stage, 'I want to write a song called 'Wanna Be That Song.' Then I put my earphones back in and walked right out on stage.
I think when you sign a recording deal, you think, 'I'm going to put out a song and have a hit right away. I'll be a giant superstar. I can take over the world now.' But I put out a song, and it did OK. It wasn't like leaps and bounds.
'Wanna Be That Song' has everything I want to say about love and about what I'm trying to be. I wanna be that part of your life, that song that means so much to you, the one that takes you back to that special place... the song that makes you laugh, the song that makes you cry when you need to cry, that makes you dance when you need to dance.
I always give a lot of credit to Ronnie Dunn for making me fall in love with country music.
Making an album is a long process, but it's a fun process.
From day one when you're singing, you're dreaming about making that first album and making your break into whatever music you want to break into.
The biggest challenge, I think for any new artist, is patience.
I'm so uncoordinated.
I think everybody has somebody for them, and they're out there waiting for you somewhere.
Connecting with your fans in that way is just the coolest thing, because I am very fortunate that my fans let me be very open on my social media - never really judge me for that or anything.
When it comes time to where the new album gets closer, I start singing the song a cappella; I'll preview it on my Snapchat and get creative with it - just kind of bringing everybody into more than just listening to the record on album.
I can't keep secrets for crap.
I think that it's awkward watching a video with your mom, particularly when you're making out with a girl or a sexy scene. I would rather be away from that!
I've always wanted to title an album 'Illinois.' I wrote the song, which was a very special song to me. The song isn't exactly about being from there, even though I am.
I'm writing all the time. I want to do this forever. I want to have a box set someday. I can't stop. The day I stop being inspired to write songs, I'll go sit on the beach - until I become inspired again.
I was onstage singing with Luke Bryan, and he started singing a song that we hadn't rehearsed. Both Luke and myself just winged it.
I once took a date whitewater rafting and brought my entire band/crew along.
I don't really get starstruck much.
