Notable for his 2014 album Metamodern Sounds in Country Music, which rose to number eight on the U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums Chart, he is also recognized for his singles "Living the Dream," "The Promise," and "Life Ain't Fair and the World Is Mean." Before releasing his debut solo album, High Top Mountain, he served in the United States Navy; worked for the Union Pacific Railroad; and established a bluegrass music group called Sunday Valley.