Koe Wetzel has no plans to slow down. The East Texas native has been working hard the last few years, which has paid off. Over the last two years Wetzel has seen significant growth in his career, opening his bar in Fort Worth, with a second Houston location opening soon, he’s been on the road non stop from his Hell Paso Tour to the Damn Near Normal Tour, and has been putting out stellar music. With the release of his previous studio record 9 Lives, Wetzel scored his first #1 radio hit for his duet “High Road,” featuring Jessie Murph. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Koe Wetzel Music (@koewetzelmusic) From all these successes, Koe Wetzel has exploded outside of the Texas country music scene, putting him on the map internationally. Koe has no plans to slow down. He recently confirmed to Audacy’s Katie & Company that he’s been working on his next studio record in Nashville. “Just kind of growing off of ‘9 Lives.’ You know, I think the music that I’ve made for so long has just kind of instilled into me and just kind of soldered into me and with this new music out, with the new record, I just kind of wanted to get a little bit more of that rock ‘n’ roll side. Back to that Texas rock ‘n’ roll.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Audacy (@audacy) With Koe’s creative spark back while working on this record, he’s also thinking about his future goals. In a recent interview with Billboard, Koe said that for a long time, he was having fun playing music for extra beer money, but once he chose to take it seriously, he’s been hungry to grow as an artist and individual. “Now, everything’s kind of changed a whole lot. I think that drive is always going to be there. I’m a competitor. I don’t like to settle; I never like to settle. I don’t like getting comfortable. Whenever I feel like I’m getting comfortable I’ve got to change sh*t up for a second.”  As for what’s on the horizon, Koe’s hoping to do some stadium shows in the future. “Stadium shows would be phenomenal to do one day. I’ve always had a goal, never really knew what it was, you know? But I knew that I would never be able to obtain it. Cause I feel like once I obtain it, then I’m like, ‘All right, what’s next?’ You know? I’ve always said that to the guys like I have an unreachable goal, you know. I feel like everyone should have an unreachable goal that they’re never going to be able to do because that just keeps you going… keeps you hungry.” Billboard then asked who Koe looked up to when it came to how they became successful. Although Koe thought his answer might be cheesy, he admires George Strait. He notes that he feels like George always does things his way. Even as he tours today, he continues to play the hits he loves, and fans adore him for that. “He hasn’t changed a whole lot, and he doesn’t have to. So I have a whole lot of respect for that. And so if I could have half the career George Strait had, then I’d be living in high cotton there. I’ll be all right.” Wetzel also said that he recognizes that even with the success that has come his way over the years, he’s still beyond blessed that he was one of the lucky ones to have taken off. Wetzel might be the life of the party in his music and on stage, but at heart, he’s a humble man from a small town in East Texas who is in awe of his ability to live out his dream every day. I know that this next chapter of Koe’s music will be something special. Later this year, he will check off his wish to perform stadium shows as he will open for Morgan Wallen and Hardy on their respective tours. Check out the whole interview while you’re here. The post Koe Wetzel Says His “Unreachable Goal” Keeps Him Hungry: “If I Could Have Half The Career George Strait Had” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.