I learned that my upbringing was rough, but there's other people out there where their upbringing is even worse than mine. It just gives you even more of a reason to want to help.

I feel like everybody has a dream, so why not try and help everybody to accomplish that dream.

I love to sing and never thought I'd be able to do it, and it happened for me.

My nana was a detective; my nana was a great cop. You also have bad cops that were bullied in school or whatever and think that they have power, and that makes other cops look bad.

Some people say I'm not country, but they don't really know how I grew up.

That's what country music is: real.

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.

I grew up without a father figure.

Once I got to high school and hit my growth spurt, nobody really messed with me anymore.

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.

The thing people see about me is my tattoos more than anything, but the color aspect does not help.

I'm used to having to worry every day.

I have lots of tattoos and am biracial.

I try to focus on my fans, who I know have been there since day one.

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.

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.'

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.

Everybody's got high expectations for me. I just don't want to let anybody down.

Growing up, we really didn't have a lot of money.

I'm definitely gonna be an outcast.

I'm a role model to a lot of kids.

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.

Radio got behind me, and I'm very thankful for it.

My fans have always been supportive and have always been there for me.