Parker McCollum joined Justin Moore on his podcast ‘The Justin Moore Podcast’, and talked about the long road it has been for him to become a country star.

“The correct term to describe how I was ‘lazy.’ I was really lazy. It took me ’til I was probably 21 or 22 and I started applying the mentality I had as an athlete to my music career and how beneficial that can be to go about your business like a grown man and hustle and get up every day and go earn what you want out of life, whatever you’re trying to do. ” said McCollum.

Remember growing up, or even today, when it took a swift kick in the butt from your parents for you to get your self together. Well, McCollum said that’s exactly what his dad did to make him take his music seriously.

“I remember one day he called me and he said ‘You’re wanting to win the lottery. You’re literally waiting for someone to walk into an empty bar and discover you. The only you’re gonna get to where you want to go is if you change your mindset and start busting your ass. I remember that phone call so well and I think back on it all the time,” said McCollum.

McCollum’s dad offered help to him so he could get started, but Parker turned it down because he wanted to make it on his own.

“I remember he called me one day and said ‘I’ll put your band on salary.’ I didn’t even have a band. He’s like ‘I’ll buy you in-ears, a bus, whatever you need,” said McCullom.

After “Pretty Heart” went gold, Parker gave his dad a gold record engraved with his name on it for his 60th birthday – and Parker said that was the first time he ever saw his dad cry.

“It was just cool because he had been the one that believed in me more than anybody and had my back the whole entire way. Like we kind of did it together in a way.”

Photo: Reuters

Source: Kokefm – Eric Raines