Earlier this year, Dustin Lynch was invited to join Keith Urban on the set of 'American Idol' to talk plans for the star's Light the Fuse Tour. The 'She Cranks My Tractor' singer is opening each show alongside Little Big Town, and the two talked business before Lynch sat in the audience and took in an episode of the reality series. Personally and professionally, the 28-year-old couldn't have been further from home.

However, Lynch harbors no animosity toward those that make their names on television. "I do know this," he tells Taste of Country during a phone call from his tour bus, "anybody that has success in this business absolutely deserves it. I don't care how you get it. I don't care if you win the lottery. It's a tough, tough thing to do."

Lynch moved to Nashville before he could legally enter many of the bars and clubs along Broadway. He remembers watching his first songwriters night at the Bluebird Cafe through the front window because it was sold out. Soon, he'd move in across the street, and over time he'd practically take up residence inside the now more-famous-than-ever bar.

"For me I wanted to do it the old-fashioned way … how my heroes did it," Lynch says. "And that's move to town and write songs and perform everywhere you can."

Thoughts of auditioning for shows like 'American Idol' or 'Nashville Star'? Sure, he had them. But ultimately he chose the route of the tortoise, and it's paid off handsomely.

Lynch will play the Taste of Country Music Festival on June 15, opening for Hunter Hayes, Billy Currington and Lady Antebellum, among many others. The outdoor festival shows are apparently the singer's favorite kind. "I like to get right in the middle of it. I like to get on the golf cart and travel around the campgrounds and go throw bags with people or go throw shoes or whatever they're doing," he says.

Backstage you'll find artists sitting around in lawn chairs or huddled around the catering tables. On tour with Urban, Lynch says he expects to play some basketball with Little Big Town's Jimi Westbrook and Phillip Sweet. "Phillip and Jimi and I are probably gonna get in a little trouble out on the road, but you know, that's gonna be fun."

The next few months include the CMA Music Festival and ToC Fest, recording a new video for his new single 'Wild in Your Eyes' and the Urban tour, which Lynch reveals he's counting down the days for.

"Every morning I wake up I just smile to myself," he admits, thinking about that first date on July 18. You won't find Lynch complaining about long stretches on the road with his eight busmates. The lifestyle fits him better than his signature straw cowboy hat.

"For me, I love that. I'm single, I don't have kids. And so I have no ties. It doesn't matter if I wake up in Maine or New Mexico," he explains, adding, "I just love being in a new spot everyday."

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