Prior to hosting the 8th Annual ACM Honors on Sept. 9, GRAMMY-nominated country artist Jake Owen participated in an exclusive GRAMMY.com interview at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles to discuss his summer hit "Beachin'," advice he would give his younger self and how his fans continue to surprise him, among other topics.  

"I constantly am surprised at the places I've played, the people [who] show up, the people [who] buy T-shirts and wear my face on their shirt, and stand in line forever all day and tell their friends and get excited, " said Owen. "I'm so thankful for that."

A native of Vero Beach, Fla., Owen taught himself guitar by listening to artists such as Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard after a water skiing accident derailed a promising professional golfing career. He subsequently began playing cover songs in Florida bars before moving to Nashville, Tenn., where he landed a deal with RCA Nashville. In 2006 Owen released his debut album, Startin' With Me, which cracked the Top 40 on the Billboard 200 and was followed by 2009's Easy Does It (No. 13) and 2011's Barefoot Blue Jean Night (No.6). He earned his first career GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals for 2008 for "Life In A Northern Town," which also features GRAMMY winners Sugarland and Little Big Town.

Owen's most recent album, Days Of Gold, was released in December 2013 and climbed to No. 15 on the Billboard 200 featuring 12 tracks, including the title track, "What We Ain't Got" and the No. 1 Billboard Hot Country Songs hit "Beachin'." 

Owen is currently in the midst of a North American tour with dates scheduled through November.