“I tended to lean towards the guys who both sang and played, such as Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill, Steve Wariner... And at the other end of the spectrum, I had Eric Clapton in a rock and blues sense, jazz guys such as Tal Farlow and Les Paul... Then Chet Atkins-type stuff.”

Country music singer-songwriter from the United States, active since the 1990s. He blends traditional country with modern pop sensibilities, crafting catchy, storytelling-driven hits that resonate with broad audiences. Known for his precise guitar work and witty, often self-deprecating lyrics.