Tim McGraw Talks New Album, Tour Thrills, Faith, and Future Family Stars

Tim McGraw admitted he felt a rush of creative ambition when making 2013 album Two Lanes of Freedom, which could be attributed to his new start on a brand-new label, plus the realization that he is only midway through his career with years and years of music ahead of him.

Fans are no doubt delighted that this well of creativity has continued flowing, resulting in his latest release, Sundown Heaven Town, just a year later. "it's quick for me," McGraw says with a smile, regarding his timeframe for putting out the new record. "You can't go in and try to force it...but you can't ignore it when it's there. So that's why it came so quickly."

"It wraps its arms around what I've done from the very beginning of making music to where I'm headed at the middle of my career making music. That's why there's 18 songs, because it just tells a long story about my career."

In fact, McGraw even sees parallels between the first single on the new album, "Lookin' For That Girl," to his very first Top 40 hit. "It reminds me of a 20-years-later version of 'Indian Outlaw'...kind of 'what is that?" music," he says. "It's just kind of cool to look back at that."

One thing that never grows old for McGraw, even more than two decades since his first album, is the thrill of touring. "It reminds of that moment in the locker room, before you run out onto the football field," the former athlete notes. He admits that sometimes "you just aren't feeling it" on certain nights, but "once you get two songs into it...you start getting  that energy from the crowd, it changes everything. It's the best drug you can take."

Given his genuine love for his craft, it may not come as too much of a surprise that his youngest daughter, Audrey, recently wowed audiences during his pre-show with her vocal talents. "All of my daughters can sing," McGraw explains. "Audrey is probably the one who really takes singing most seriously, and wants to be a singer."

However: "When Audrey asked if she could come on my preshow and sing, I was shocked," he admits. "She'd never done anything out of her comfort zone like that...we're very proud. It took a minute to adjust to it, but at the end of the day, I thought if that's what she wants to do, I don't want to stop her from doing it."

"It was tough for me to sing after her, because I was crying so much. I had tears running down my face," McGraw recalls. "She definitely got her mom's pitch and tone."

Speaking of mom, fans are probably wondering: What's McGraw's very favorite collaboration with wife Faith Hill? Is it "Meanwhile Back at Mama's," or an older gem in their duets catalog? Any guesses?

That's one we'll leave for you to discover in our exclusve video interview above. Enjoy!