I think the great country songs mixed with some of that bluegrass instrumentation - and surrounding all that with a little bit of a rock vibe and energy - is the kind of music I make.

I like big shows, a lot of volume and a lot of energy. I love electric instruments. But I do love mixing those with bluegrass instruments and cranking those up, too, with a little bit of that rock energy.

I try to make an album that reflects what I love about country music. It's not just all about happy parties all the time. There are some sad songs.

The people I always loved listening to had a little bit of dirt under their fingernails because they had done some living and had these stories to talk about.

I like to make people think a little bit.

I still feel like that 17-year-old-kid that fell in love with country music, but I also am allowed to write songs about being a man, too, which I think is the coolest place I've ever been in my life.