DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH: June 21, 1985, Jacksonville
MY FAMILY: Wife Katy Allen, married Sept. 26, 2008, and children Oliver (7), Rosie (4) and Marlo (1).
THREE THINGS I AM NEVER WITHOUT: Guitar, phone and (at the moment) mask.
WHAT ATTRACTS ME TO OTHER ARTISTS' WORK: Honesty. Or just a good knee slapper.
A QUESTION I'M SOMETIMES ASKED: ARE YOU A SINGER WHO WRITES SONGS OR A SONGWRITER WHO SINGS? I think this answer has changed throughout the last 11 years. At first, definitely a singer who writes songs. I think I have turned myself into a songwriter that sings. My respect and love for the craft of songwriting has grown so much
WHEN I AM IN ARKANSAS: Most times that I go to Conway, I make a stop at Stoby's. Lots of good memories there. And nothing like a hug from Mrs. Debbie.
I WAS MOST EXCITED WHEN I MET: We got to meet some pretty amazing artists and people while I was on the show. But the one that I was most excited about was Smokey Robinson. He was such an integral part of the Motown sound and I couldn't believe that I was getting to get advice from him.
THE ADVICE I HAVE FOR THE NEXT KID LEARNING TO PLAY THE GUITAR IN SECRET AND DREAMING OF STARDOM: Be passionate. Passion makes you want to learn. To practice. To learn how to fall in love with it.
MY PRE-SHOW RITUAL BEFORE I GO ON STAGE IS: A little prayer and a band chant. "Do it baby!" (It's an inside joke)
AFTER ALL THIS TIME, THE BEST THING ABOUT MY LINE OF WORK: I love music. I love how it makes me feel. I love how it makes other people feel. Knowing that I am a vessel for the gift of music is all I've ever wanted.