Logan Mize, ‘Good Life’ Is Ode to Big Life Changes (LISTEN)

Nobody in Nashville is the name of his debut album, but Logan Mize certainly won't be living up its title. The college football player-turned-musician has already established himself as an in-demand Nashville songwriter, giving him good momentum as he takes a stab at the artist route.

"I love the title, Nobody in Nashville," he tells The Boot of his project's title track. "It didn't start out as anything but this guy coming to Nashville, and he's going to prove this girl wrong. We've taken this independent route, doing it our own way, and not asking for permission to do anything. We're going to go do it, if anybody's interested, come along, if not, we don't care. It's been fun, but there's definitely been those frustrating moments when you're like, 'Is this working? Why isn't this working in Nashville, but it's working out there?' I thought 'Nobody in Nashville' was a play on words, a funny thing, I don't know if anyone else thought it was funny!"

The singer-songwriter grew up in a small Kansas town, listening to an eclectic mix of music ranging from Led Zeppelin to Elton John to the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. He claims he didn't "really get into country" until he heard Garth Brooks' No Fences album. His career progression almost mirrors his musical education, given that at age 18 he committed to a football career, only to play hookie to visit Nashville.

"I was into sports, so I went to Southern Illinois University and played football there," Logan explains. "I was supposed to be going to school and playing football, but I was really getting into learning the guitar and writing songs. I was there for two years, but I would come down to Nashville on Mondays -- I would skip class or practice -- and I would play at the Bluebird Cafe. I would sign up and sometimes I wouldn't even play, I'd have to come down the next week to get my turn to play two songs."

After two years of playing frat parities, Logan decided to make a change. "I quit school the third game of the season," he recalls. "ESPN was there. 40,000 people there. I remember being like, man this is fun, but I think I'm doing the wrong thing here."

Listening to album, particularly the upbeat, laid back single "Good Life," it's obvious that he made the right decision. (Listen below.) The tune is one that was actually inspired by his touring van, in which he drives his band to various gigs.

"My wife makes fun of this van, she says she doesn't have to worry about other girls because it's such a turn off," he laments. "It's a 15 passenger church van. I was driving and I was like, 'I like driving around in my Ford van, waving at all the pretty girls.' And the song was born."

Learn more about Logan, find tour dates, and buy a copy of Nobody in Nashville here.

Listen to "Good Life"