Your new album, Book About Me, will release on 7/11, and it’s semi-autobiographical. Tell us about some of the inspirations for the album?
This album consists of the musical journey of my life. From the barn to the beach, I have songs that touch on growing up on the small farms of Nebraska to my love for the beach life. Each song comes from those experiences.
Coming into Season Six, what did you learn about yourself from getting the honor of getting to hunt with so many great veterans?
I haven’t gone hunting with many veterans yet, as this is a new endeavor the show is embarking on next year. I have, though, had the great honor of performing for our veterans and our troops overseas for the last 12 years, and I’m always humbled and grateful to get to know these amazing men and women who have done so much for our country.
You also do USO tours whenever possible – Most recently, you did a string of several USO performances in Texas with Forrie J. Smith from the hit show Yellowstone. Why is performing for veterans important to you?
It’s important to me to give back to our veterans in as many different ways as possible, because I never served in the military – so for me, to give back in some small way is the only thing I know how to do. I’m gonna keep doing it as long as I can help support our military and our service men and women all over the world.
One of the songs from the upcoming album, “When a Cowboy Prays,” released last year and included spoken word from Smith. How did that collaboration come about?
The collaboration came about through the National Finals Rodeo in Vegas. I was doing a performance for RFD-TV, and Forrie was side-stage and heard the song. We got to talking backstage, and I asked him if he would be a collaborator on it with me, and he was happy to do so. We went out to his ranch in the New Mexico area and recorded it right there in his living room. It was a pretty amazing experience. Forrie is a great man.
Which is more exciting, standing on stage in front of a great audience or calling in a gobbler for someone?
HA – well that’s a tough one. I get pretty excited when there’s a big guy out there goblin back-and-forth and he won’t come in right away… Trying to speak the language. And then it’s pretty incredible being able to go out on stage and play for hundreds to thousands of people. There’s really no way to compare the two other than the adrenaline that both invoke.
Fishing, do you prefer saltwater or freshwater?
Honestly, it all depends on the kind of fishing. I really enjoy fly fishing in Montana and Alaska, and doing some of the tournaments for bass and whatnot… But there’s really nothing like hooking a 300-500 pound sailfish or roosterfish in Costa Rica, or barracuda in Belize, and pulling in those massive fish. I love the fight and nothing fights like a big saltwater fish.
While making your newest album, how much did your adventures into the outdoors hunting and fishing inspire your songwriting?
My adventures in hunting and fishing inspire my songs quite a bit. Like my song “Live Well Lived” – it’s truly inspired by all those adventures: meeting people along the way, scuba diving, jumping from airplanes, and fishing and hunting all over the world. My adventures have absolutely shaped the songs on this album – and the album as a whole.
You’re from Nebraska – what are some of your favorite places to hunt and fish throughout the Midwest?
I love going back home to hunt. It’s great deer country, turkey hunting is wonderful, and it’s always fun hunting with my old high school buddies. There are amazing properties in Kansas, Iowa and Colorado… At the end of the day, though, it’s tough to find a place that I don’t like to hunt or fish.
You’re passionate about the role hunting and fishing plays in conservation. What’s something you wish people better understood about that?
I wish more people understood that hunting helps build populations in healthy herds across the country. So many people won’t take the time to listen and understand why hunting is the most beneficial practice to help sustain these beautiful creatures that we all get to enjoy.
What’s the main takeaway you hope fans get from listening to Book About Me?
Honestly, I hope they realize that none of this is possible without the support of loving friends and fans, and that this album is a direct correlation to those connections I’ve made throughout the years with my fans, friends and family.
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