NICE – The people of South Carolina including the Governor Nikki Haley, our host Matt Tyler and everyone associated with Darlington Raceway and NASCAR were incredibly nice. I immediately felt like I was at home. My dad said that THIS is the living definition of Southern hospitality! Wow!

Car # 29 Kevin Harvick's crew gave me a great tour! Thank You!

FAST – I told them the fastest I had ever driven my car was 85 mph. They laughed. Then I got to see why and what REALLY FAST looks and sounds like at the Bojangles Southern 500. Seeing those cars fly by at 180 to 220 mph was incredible!

I got to join hosts Bill Wood and Carley Wegner on FOX 4′s Morning Blend today to talk about singing the National Anthem at Darlington Raceway.

Bill and Carley also asked me about my upcoming performance at the Naples Philharmonic where I will join a full orchestra and chorale as part of their Patriotic Pops Memorial Day Celebration.

Besides getting to sing one of my newer original songs that will be on my next album I also got to try my hand at being a TV announcer. I guess I better keep my day job.

Bill and Carley have always been so sweet to invite me to visit whenever I’m back in Southwest Florida.

On set at FOX 4's Morning Blend with hosts Bill Wood & Carley Wegner

It’s my very first NASCAR event and I’m so excited about it. I am learning about the tradition and history about this race track and am so amazed to be able to be a part of it.

NASCAR is a great fit for me and country music. They are both great examples of our home grown American culture. They tell me that I’m going to be hooked after this experience. I can’t wait I’m apparently not the only one who is “Too Tough to Tame!” !

This acrobatic gorilla gave me a smooch!  My big sis Sundai wears #13 jersey for the Gators and got to give the Suns’ superstar Steve Nash #13 a high-five before his final game for them. #GOSUNS!

The people of Phoenix are incredibly nice.  It was a close game 110  to 106.  I am honored to be have been asked sing the National Anthem for the great Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs family.

Thank you for having me!

Me, Phoenix Suns Gorilla & Sundai 4-25-12

I’m excited to be heading to Phoenix, AZ today to sing the National Anthem at the US Airways Center for the NBA basketball game between the Phoenix Suns and the San Antonio Spurs.

I’m from a family of jocks so being in a big sporting arena is a pretty familiar place for me.  Speaking of jocks, my big sis Sundai, who plays volleyball for the UF Gators is going to join me in Phoenix too!

My plans are to visit with the NBC station in Phoenix, meet with the local newspaper, sing the National Anthem, watch some great basketball today, and then stop in on a local radio country station on Thursday morning before flying back to Nashville.

I’m feeling like I’m getting a cold and I can’t afford to do that right now.  So I’m going to go to the walk-in clinic and make sure everything is ok and then take the next couple of days to rest and get ready for next week when I will be headed to Phoenix, AZ and Southlake, TX.

Everyone was so nice.  I had lots of help when I ran into a small equipment problem and I really appreciate everyone’s help.    I’m going to be double-checking that I have extra batteries for my guitar, extra guitar pics, in my gig bag before my next road trip for sure!  Everything turned out great but that will help reduce the stress a lot!!

2 fun shows tonight.  First at 8pm at the Evening Muse, rated as one of the best music listening rooms in the South.  I’ll be joined by local Charlotte artist Abigail Price.  Can’t wait t meet Abigail and hear her sing and play.

Then I’ll be joining the Tosco Music Party at 10:30 to close out the night’s party.  From what I hear, the Tosco Music Party is an amazing gathering of musicians that drop in to perform after or before their shows around town to celebrate music together.  I can’t wait!!!

When you’re performing and traveling, staying in one city for 2 days in a row is LUXURY!  Sleeping in and taking it easy.

2 fun shows tonight.  First at 8pm at the Evening Muse, rated as one of the best music listening rooms in the South.  I’ll be joined by local Charlotte artist Abigail Price.  Can’t wait t meet Abigail and hear her sing and play.

Then I’ll be joining the Tosco Music Party at 10:30 to close out the night’s party.  From what I hear, the Tosco Music Party is an amazing gathering of musicians that drop in to perform after or before their shows around town to celebrate music together.  I can’t wait!!!