As a result, Swindell has had one of the best years of any artist in the country genre and is very grateful. And it shows not only in his words but his face, because throughout our recent chat at Radio.com's studios in New York, the singer was all smiles.
"It's been a heck of a year," Swindell tells us with a big grin that is as genuine as they come. "I said the year before was the best year of my life, and this one beats that."

In addition to his stellar year as a songwriter, the singer behind new radio single "Ain't Worth the Whiskey" is now headlining his own club shows for his Down Home Tour, something he's very appreciative of as that's where it all started for him.

"Those folks are buying tickets to see me. It's a responsibility I take seriously and I want to give them the best show that I can," he says, again with a big smile. "That's where I started, right there on that stage where the people were right up against you. The crowds in the club, that's my thing. I love it. No matter what happens with this whole thing, I hope I always get to go back and do that."