Chris Janson, riding the country-radio Top 10 with latest hit “All I Need is You,” will return Feb. 2 to Penn’s Peak, located on Maury Road, Jim Thorpe.

The singer-songwriter, who played the Peak just under a year ago, released his fifth studio album “The Outlaw Side of Me” in June 2023. “All I Need is You,” which has charted for nearly a year on Billboard‘s Country Airplay survey, serves as the lead single.

Born in Parryville, Missouri, Janson released debut single “’Til a Woman Comes Along” in 2010. Two EPs followed, with Janson self-releasing the single “Buy Me A Boat” in 2015. Following the track‘s splashy debut, Warner Bros. Nashville signed him to a record deal.

Warner released Janson’s first four albums, starting with 2015’s “Buy Me a Boat,” which also featured the hits “Power of Positive Drinkin’” and “Holdin’ Her.” The hit parade continued with singles “Fix a Drink” and “Drunk Girl,” pulled from the 2017 album “Everybody.”

Janson’s third album, 2019’s “Real Friends,” yielded the country-radio No. 1s “Good Vibes” and “Done.” Following the 2022 album “All In,” Big Machine Label Group signed Janson to BMLG Records, in partnership with Janson’s own Harpeth 60 Records.

Aside from his own discography, Janson has co-written material that other artists have recorded. Such artists include Hank Williams Jr. (“Those Days Are Gone”), Tim McGraw (“How I’ll Always Be,” “Truck Yeah”) and LoCash (“I Love This Life”).

Janson, who Garth Brooks inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2018, also co-wrote and sang two duets with Williams’ daughter Holly on her 2009 album “Here with Me.”

Prior to his show, Janson - residing with his family in Williamson County, Tennessee - took time to discuss his career and inspirations

Q: What got you interested in making music?

A: I started playing music when I was 9. Music is what I know. It’s what I was meant to do. I’m a self-taught musician. I play drums, piano, bass, guitar, harmonica and banjo.

Q: After high school, you moved to Nashville. Had you performed gigs prior to that, and did you do so upon moving to Nashville?

A: I played gigs for money since I was 12. My career started at Tootsies, where I played for a year. Three shows a day until I was discovered. Then I went on tour with Hank Jr. I’ve been playing live shows for fans for a long time.

Q: Other acts have recorded songs you co-wrote. Do you send songs out to artists or has that come about in other ways?

A: Songs find their way. Publishing companies, labels pitch them, and, yes, I’ve sent songs to friends, as well.

Q: Drinking and alcohol have popped up as common themes in your music. Any particular reason?

A: Mountain Dew, beer, alcohol and all sorts of drinks find their way into my songs. People that enjoy country music also enjoy drinking, boating, etc. My song “Fix a Drink” refers to a lot of different alcohol and drinks.

I play shows to country crowds and most of them have a cold drink in their hand. My favorite drink is Mountain Dew.

Q: Why cover Lindsey Buckingham’s “Vacation” anthem “Holiday Road?”

A: “Holiday Road” is a fun song, from one of my favorite movies. I performed it at the Opry Christmas last year and had a ton of requests to record it, so we did.

Q: Your wife inspired “All I Need is You.” How has your family influenced your music, and what else have inspired your songwriting?

A: My wife Kelly inspires a lot of my music. I wrote “Done” and “All I Need is You” about her. She’s my best friend, love of my life and soul mate, so she’s easy to write about. I write about lifestyle, hunting, conservation, love, drinking, trucks. My kids also have songs about them - “Days in the Field,” “Holdin’ Her” and more.

Q: How would you compare “The Outlaw Side of Me“ to your prior work? Have you started working on new music?

A: I don’t compare my albums. I hope people love it and can relate. I’m always writing and creating. Generally when it naturally comes to me. Music is fun, so I don’t force it.

Q: What would you consider the highlights of your career?

A: I feel very blessed. I’ve had many highlights, starting with the induction into the Grand Ole Opry. Number one songs, ACM & BMI awards, “Crossroads” with Bret Michaels that recently aired on CMT and many more.

The main highlight is stepping on stage every night playing for fans that buy a ticket to see me. I can’t wait to see y’all in Pennsylvania.