Growing up, we really didn't have a lot of money.
I feel like I should show people that no matter where you come from - you can get beat by your stepdad, if you get picked on for your clothes and having no money - I just feel like everyone should know it will be all right as long as you keep focusing on trying to move forward and looking at the positive things in life.
In the first game I ever played in high school, I had a pick-six for a touchdown. That was a fun memory.
In country radio, everybody has such a connection and a bond. So you've got to meet them.
Everybody's got high expectations for me. I just don't want to let anybody down.
My first impression when I heard 'Heaven' was, 'Do not let anyone else have that song! I'm putting it on hold.' I knew it was special from the first time I heard it, and I thought my fans would love it as much as I did.
I have the best and most loyal fans in the world, and they are used to connecting with me since the very beginning.
People always say, 'There are plenty of black country artists out there! There is Charley Pride! Darius Rucker!' That's all they can name. They don't understand what we go through, and a lot of people who are fans of traditional country music, as they call it, look at us and aren't going to say, 'Y'all like country music.'
Everyone should have equal opportunities and equal rights, but you can't even have an opinion without somebody going off on you. That's what's wrong with this world today.
I try to focus on my fans, who I know have been there since day one.
I have lots of tattoos and am biracial.
I'm used to having to worry every day.
The thing people see about me is my tattoos more than anything, but the color aspect does not help.
You put my voice on R&B melodies, on top of a real country band, and the sky's the limit.
I'm biracial; I didn't know that until I was 7 or 8 years old. I thought I was full white, which, honestly, I can't even really say because I didn't see colors.
I try to stay away from all negativity.
Once I got to high school and hit my growth spurt, nobody really messed with me anymore.
I grew up without a father figure.
I was working at Lowes and Target, then FedEx, and still did not have enough money to pay rent on my own.
As a country, we can do better. Our home should be a source of stability, not insecurity. This issue is personal for me... even with a steady paycheck, I couldn't pay rent.
