Pat Green, the self-made country singer-songwriter is a star in his native Texas, and still working towards a bigger piece of the music pie.
After an opening slot on the highest-grossing tour of 2005 with Kenny Chesney and Gretchen Wilson, Green returns to Memphis with his own brand of country on Oct. 15 at The New Daisy.
"Memphis has always been a great crowd," Green said.
"I've had some fun nights out on Beale Street."
Although Green has been recording songs for years now, his grassroots following has finally begun to spread outside of the Lone Star State.
He described the tour with Chesney as a huge step forward in his career.
"We played to 1.2 million people, that's more than I'll see in three years on my own," Green said.
For Green fans in the know, they filled the seats and sang along to Green's song "Wave on Wave," which has previously hit the Top 5 on the Billboard Country Single charts. Fans were also treated to songs of off "Lucky Ones" as well as other tracks from "Wave on Wave."
One of the main reasons Green keeps going out the road is for the very people that have supported him for years.
He has sold out the Houston Astrodome twice and also played more intimate gigs in Texas.
"You've got to keep the connection with your fans," Green said. "It's vital for anyone no matter how big you become, you gotta still play the clubs."
Green's dedication to his music and his fans is something he's been building since childhood. Growing up, Green was always surrounded by music, art and theater.
At the time, singing wasn't his ultimate career goal, but his love for it was solidified as a child.
"Anything long-lasting in your life, like music, is something you pick up when you are young," Green said.
Country artists such as Willie Nelson and Robert Earl Keen were two of Green's favorites in his younger days. These same artists helped increase Green's exposure within the country music realm. Their help, Green says, is immeasurable.
"I probably owe them a few steak dinners," Green said. "You can't put a price tag on it."
Considering the help Green received along the way, he's hopeful that he'll be able to garner attention for newer artists in country as well.
He said artists like Jack Ingram, Cross Canadian Ragweed and Cory Morrows are all artists to watch.
Green's love of music and performing doesn't show any sign of stopping. Although he has experienced greater success in recent years, he's still hoping for more.
"Contentment brings laziness as far as career goes," Green said.
Due to this, Green will keep touring and releasing records in hopes of reaching a larger audience.
"I'll just keep chasing that distant star," he said.
Tickets to Green's Oct. 15 show are now on sale at The New Daisy box office.
