I don't want to be New Vocalist of the Year; that's not a goal of mine. If those things come along, that would be awesome, but that's not something I strive for.
I just want to make music people like.
I want to make more fans, sell records.
I've always liked all kinds of different types of music.
I wanted to put a song out there to let people know who I was and, at the same time, help me set apart from a lot of different people in country radio.
I would play around bonfires with my friends, and people were telling me that I was good.
I really got into Three Doors Down - that's the sound that was out when I was 12 or 13. I really loved Breaking Benjamin and bands like that.
I listened to Country music a little bit, but it didn't enter my life until I started listening to Eric Church.
I didn't do anything but write for six months after I got my publishing deal. That was just trying to get better and figure out my sound and the way I like to do it.
I know that I come from a place of small-town roots and of humble beginnings and I try to keep those things in my songs - just stuff that I know people like me can relate to.
I took a few months off after my senior year was over, and I prayed and tried to figure out what was my plan and my purpose. That's how I started writing songs and playing guitar just to get my feelings out.
I've been singing in church and wherever else I got the chance since I was 3.
From a young age, I took an interest in the music and my mom noticed it.
I know it takes more than one album to stay around.
I didn't even know what 'The Voice' was, but my mom said, 'I signed you up for this singing show,' and I was like, 'All right, I guess.'
I still have my buddies from back home, I still have my family. They really help to keep me grounded. I try to call them and talk to them about their everyday life.
People aren't just listening to my single, but they are listening to the whole album - and that's really encouraging to me because you just never know what's going to happen when you put something out.
As soon as I was old enough to move and walk, I went straight to sports. My mom said I never even played with toys.
To get the best idea of who I am, I would probably say listen to my first single, 'The Way I Talk.'
I'm always saying normal things, and people usually understand me, but they're like, 'Where are you from?!'
