I think it has a lot to do with determination. I treat people the way I want to be treated and believe if you work hard you can have the things you want in life.
I didn't have a lot to do with the first record.
I picked and co-wrote the songs that if I was a guy who would be spending my hard-earned money buying an album I would want to hear.
I was so happy and content with in life playing music. Music was always my first job and my day gig was my second job.
I was blessed. I had a great childhood and great parents that loved music and family. I moved from England when I was almost 18 and been on my own ever since and have been trying to make a living in the music business for the past twelve years. A lot of people say I'm an overnight success, but it's an overnight success that's been twelve years in the making.
Obviously everybody knows that I'm an original songwriter and I got my band. And the guys in Sugar Money, no matter what, are part of my family and they always got something to do with me, and I don't care if they just hang out with me.
I'd like to teach kids how to write songs. This will be my first year so I'm just as green as some of the rest of the folks. It's like a music camp and I get to hang out with some of the past contestants.
I'd like to expand on doing what I love and venture out a bit more. I would like to play consistantly good music. Eventually someday I would like to open up a school and teach kids about music.
I think I started lip-synching about halfway through the first day, and it's not as easy as you think it would be. But it's definitely better than a day job.
I think America did a great job. I think Carrie Underwood fits the bill of American Idol. She's a wonderful girl, and she's gonna have a great career.
But whatever the Lord throws at me right now, I think I've been given more blessings than I ever deserved. If he wants to top it off with anything - boy, girl - I would love either of them.
Just practice hard and stay grounded. Treat people like you want to be treated and work hard.
It's not just about waking up and trying to be a star... It's practice, practice, practice.
I try to be a better dad and husband than I do pretend rock star.
I'm not trying to be evasive, but when I say yes and no, I say 'yes' because there are narrow-minded people that won't look past the logo and 'no' because 'American Idol' put me in front of millions of people and I would not have a career without 'Idol.
My lifes a wreck, and I love it.
Yeah, playing anywhere from three to five gigs a week definitely [helped]. I think all the practice throughout the years and doing what I do paid off.
