Colt Ford Feels Lack of Respect From Radio

Colt Ford releases his third studio album, 'Every Chance I Get,' today (May 3) but the former professional golfer turned rapper/singer says he still has to prove he belongs in country music. In spite of an ACM Award nomination and more than two million digital singles sold, his songs have been banned by several mainstream country radio stations because of their rap-infused style.

"I am a country artist. I live the country life," Colt tells Billboard. "What makes a country song a country song is the content. I would love nothing more than to have a big hit on radio, but there is nothing I can do to make that happen. I have a lot of respect for radio, but I feel they don't have a lot of respect for me."

Still, the energetic performer, who took the stage more than 250 times last year, says he has found other ways to be successful without the support of country radio. "I have had a ton of success with online marketing [company] Girlilla Marketing, through MySpace and Facebook and all of those platforms," he explains. "I spend a lot of time interacting with my friends and fans online."

Twelve of the 13 tracks on 'Every Chance I Get' feature guest vocalists recognizable to country fans. "You'll know the voices of everybody on the album," the 41-year-old father tells The Boot. "Eric Church -- nobody sounds like him! He is a regular old bad-ass, too, which I love. Luke Bryan is a great country singer. And of course that little-known guy, Tim McGraw, there's nobody like him."

Colt's first single from the CD, 'Country Thang,' which includes Eric Church on vocals, is at No. 56. Colt will spend much of the next few months on the road, supporting his new album. See his tour itinerary here.