Jason Michael Carroll-Stacy McCloud

Country music artist Jason Michael Carroll recently released his sophomore album, has a new video climbing GAC's countdown, and is on tour.

The 31 year old North Carolina native, husband and father of four has made quite an impression in the country music world, with his mix of touching ballads and high energy tunes, mostly written by the singer himself.

Since exploding into the country music scene several years ago, Carroll has made a name for himself.

Carroll, who recently cut his trademark long hair to a much shorter style, headlines his own shows now, but has opened for some big acts including Trace Adkins, Kenny Chesney, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley Sugarland and Carrie Underwood.

"To be able to do that, have an audience cheer and sing with you is remarkable thing."

His chart topping debut album brought in half a million in sales and his sophomore album, "Growing Up is Getting Old" is on its way to even more success.

Especially his current single, "Hurry Home."

He didn't write the song, he didn't even know the songwriter, but believes it was written for him to sing.

"I believe songs are somewhat spiritual. Songs are waiting to be written. There is a story to be told, it's up to them when they tell it."

"Hurry Home" is a prodigal daughter tale of unconditional love.

Carroll relates because he had an aunt who left mysteriously when he was only two to escape an abusive marriage.

Out of fear of being tracked she waited over a decade to contact her family.

"For 16-years I prayed for a woman I didn't know. My moms older sister my aunt Jean ran away when I was 2 from an abusive husband and for 16-years we prayed for her every night and not one time in 16 years did we forget that prayer."

As for a third album, Carroll says he's always thinking.

"Being a writer, your thoughts are on paper. You are always working for next record cause you wanna be doing this for a long time."

One big step at a time, Carroll is becoming one big star.

"We've had a great year and I'm interested to see where 2010 is gonna go."

Carroll will join several other artists and Nascar drivers January 8 through January 10 for the spring Sound and Speed event downtown.

Tickets for the annual event are available right now on Ticketmaster.Jason Michael Carroll-Stacy McCloud