You’re currently on the road on your debut headlining ‘Drop Of Us’ tour which kicked off on October 2nd in Oxford, OH. What can fans expect from this debut headliner?
Yes! Feels good to be on my first headlining run. Fans can expect a really dynamic set. In the past, as an opener, I usually just love to get everyone pumped up and dancing, but I wanted this headlining set to have some tension and some real power ballads. I’m telling my story throughout the show.
What differs your live headlining show from the support slots that you have performed on?
Well so far on this tour it has truly been my fans showing up. I’m not used to a room of people that know every word to every song. That’s been a big deal for me and really inspiring.
When you played that first headlining gig in Oxford, OH, what thoughts were rushing through your mind preparing to go on stage and then when you hit the stage?
Well Oxford, OH has been great to us. They have a an awesome venue called Brick Street which brings in tons of students from Miami University and it’s always so much fun. That night I was just ready to get out there and sing.
Your latest single “State I’m In” is being streamed rapidly as fans just love the song, can you tell us what inspired this single and what it is about?
I wrote it about a girl back home and missing them on the road. We spent the spring touring with Hunter Hayes so I wrote it during the tour. It’s hard being gone and the truth is it’s hard for the person back home as well. I wrote this song to try and make sure they knew I was thinking about them. I think fans feel the honesty.
Your previous single “Drop Of Us” has also been well received by fans whilst out on the Hunter Hayes’ tour. Can you tell us about the music video that you released for this single?
Yeah! I love that video. I basically got all my friends together and through a big party on the lake. The love interest and the dog are my real life girlfriend and dog, Tahoe, so it’s a pretty real video.
When can we expect more new music from you?
Very soon. (Wink)
You spent the summer opening for acts like Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum and Tim McGraw. What was that like playing with artists of such calibers?
It was surreal. As a fan, it was fun just to be able to be backstage and hang with the amazing artists. That’s the truth. You learn so much from just being around them, their camp and their band.
You’ve performed at the Grand Ole Opry several times now, what is it like to play the most iconic stage in country music?
Next time will be number 20! I can’t even wrap my head around how cool that is. The thing about the Opry is I still get nervous every time. I think every artist does.
We had the opportunity to catch your set at CMA Festival in Nashville in June, we loved the raw energy you bring to the stage and fans were really into it. Can you tell us three memorable moments from this year’s CMA Fest?
I love CMA fest. I think the most memorable moment was playing the 1:15am slot at the Spotify House on Saturday and being unsure if anyone would show up. We packed it out, and even though it was way past my bedtime… it was still so much fun.
With your dad being a songwriter writing some smash hits like Rascal Flatts’ “God Bless The Broken Road,” Dixie Chicks’ “Cowboy, Take Me Away,” Sara Evans’ “Born To Fly” and more, has he been a big influence on your music career?
My dad is not only my dad, but my mentor. He’s taught me so much about music and instilled a love for the craft of songwriting. There’s no way to really quantify his influence, but I can say that I definitely still look to him for advice and try to continue to learn from him.
Have you or do you plan to write any songs with your dad?
We write a good amount together. We are just both so busy we don’t get to do it as much as I’d want.
If you had to debut your music to a new fan who has never heard of your before, what would be one song from your discography that you feel best represents your music and would instantly make them a fan?
Hmmm maybe “I Still Do.” It’s my personal favorite.
What is the rest of 2019 and early 2020 looking like for you?
Finishing this headlining tour and getting y’all some new music. 2020 is going to be a fun year.
Anything else you’d like to say to your current or future fans and where can they find you online?
I would say make sure to get to a show on this tour. The first two weeks were amazing, and it’s just going to get better! Can’t wait to see y’all.
