Randy Houser Gears Up to ‘Throwdown’ With Willie Nelson

Randy Houser is anxiously counting down the days until he hits the road with Willie Nelson as part of the 2011 Country Throwdown tour, which kicks off May 27. While the 'Boots On' singer has had many opportunities to get to know Willie over the years, he still is excited to share the stage with the legend.

"Willie is probably my biggest influence and my biggest hero in country music ... period," Randy tells The Boot. "I've listened to Willie since I was a baby. My mom and daddy were huge Willie Nelson fans ,so I know about everything that he's done musically, I think! [laughs] I'm just really, really excited to get to go hang out with him. It's going to be a lot of fun."

Other acts on the Throwdown tour include two of Randy's closest buddies in the country music business: Jamey Johnson and Lee Brice. "It's going to be crazy!" Randy says with a big smile. "It's definitely going to be a party out there. We're going to have fun!"

Jamey and Randy go way back. "We've known each other awhile," Jamey told The Boot. "I've got a photo collection of all of Randy's ex-girlfriends at my house. I'm gonna quilt that into a blanket, if I can find a bed big enough to cover it."

While Lee Brice is both friend and fan of Randy. "There's kind of a void," Lee told The Boot. "The Ronnie Dunn soulful-type voice is gonna go away now that they're done. And I think Randy Houser is the perfect guy. He's got that voice, man, he's got that thing. He's one of my buddies, and I think he's one of the most talented people in this town."

Look for Randy's new single, 'In God's Time,' to hit radio nationwide April 25. Watch him perform the tune live in studio here, and get details on the 2011 Country Throwdown Tour here.