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The rising country star celebrates the release of his latest album, ‘Buy Me A Boat.’

One of the feel-good stories in country music this year surrounds the career of Chris Janson. The Warner Bros. recording artist has been making a name for himself via his songwriting and live performances on stages such as The Grand Ole Opry. Then, over the summer, he finally punched his ticket to stardom as a recording artist with the success of “Buy Me A Boat,” which topped the singles chart. The Missouri native—who has opened for the likes of Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, and Luke Bryan—has released his new album of the same title today (October 30) and took time to chat with MySpace about the unbelievable 2015 that he has had.

Reflect on your success, as I know this year has been a great one.

First of all, whenever I begin to talk about our success, I just have to say that God is good. I am just so genuinely thankful for the opportunity. One of the things that I have learned is that it’s a team effort. There have been so many people who have been in my corner who have stood up for me and had my back for a lot of years—whether I had a lot going on or not. Those people have continued to stand behind me, and we are so thankful for that. The fact that we had the opportunity to have a No. 1 record, and to come out with an album on Warner Bros., a new single and all the tours. We could have not gotten there alone. We’re so incredibly thankful.

Speaking of tours, you just went out with Luke Bryan on his Farm Tour. What was that like?

That was a crazy experience. It was a total high. The intensity level was great. What made it even more unforgettable was the fact that “Buy Me A Boat” went No. 1 the week that the Farm Tour started. It was unbelievable. It elevated the game and took things to a new level. My life was good in January, and it’s good now. Every day I wake up is a good day, and being able to have a job in music is such a remarkable thing. It’s incredible in every way.

Having been at the Farm Tour stop in Tuscaloosa, it was amazing to hear the crowd sing the lyrics back to you. As an artist, how does that make you feel?

It’s the most unbelievable sound and experience in the entire world. For the first time, it’s happening with one of my songs as an artist. I’ve done it with songs I’ve written before, but nothing takes the place of it being one of your own. It’s an extremely humbling thing—the fact that people care and want to sing along. It’s every singer’s dream come true.

One of the reasons people are in your corner as they are is because of the passion you have for the country format past and present.

I do love country music and am very passionate about it. I don’t take it for granted. I take it very seriously but also try to enjoy it and have fun with it. This is our format. We should support it and try to make the best country music that we can. We should also keep the traditions alive—whether that means supporting the Grand Ole Opry like they have me, or being there for the ones who have been there for you. This industry has treated me very well and stuck through low times and high times with me. It’s a big deal to have a No. 1 record, and all these things are not achievements—they’re blessings. I don’t want to be known for my accolades, I would rather be known for being a good guy. The dreams I set out to do when I came to this town are becoming realities, and you can’t ask for any more than that.

One of the acts that counts himself among your biggest fans is Tim McGraw, who appears on the album with you on “Messin’ With Jesus.” That had to be a “pinch me” moment.

That is one of the biggest achievements of my career. Tim is just a really great guy, and such a cool dude. You’d want to hang out with him because of that. To have him be so complimentary and recording the duet, I ask myself, Can it get any bigger than that? I was actually trying to get him to record it for Damn Country Music, but I wound up getting a different song cut, and he did the duet with me. It’s kind of a win-win. To have my album with a duet with him on it, that’s remarkable stuff.”

I know that you credit your wife Kelly with being a huge part of your success.

That’s putting it mildly. She spearheaded the whole idea of Buy Me A Boat. She was the one who pushed me to put it out independently and do all of these things. Without her, I don’t know if I could make it through the day. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me, and she’s a great songwriter—she co-wrote “Messin’ With Jesus” and co-manages me. She’s such a good person and would do anything for anybody. She’s been so instrumental in making this work. She believed before anyone else did. She’s the only one I’ve ever loved.

Somehow, I bet that “Holdin’ Her” was written with her in mind.

That’s my favorite song I have ever written. It’s a simple story bout seeing her for the first time. Coming from my past—which was rowdy for a bit when I was a bachelor—seeing her for the first time. It’s about where I was, where I went, and what I’m doing. That will be a staple in my show for as long as I have a career.

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