Though Hunter Hayes is still in the process of creating his next album, he's wasting no time in getting back on the road. The singer is currently touring the U.S. with a packed schedule through the summer, but he says he's missed the rigorous routine.

"Every show's been a completely different approach for us, so it's been good for the soul, as we say, to finally be back on the road," he tells Taste of Country excitedly.

Over his career, Hayes has served as a supporting act for some of the genre's biggest names, including Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum, in addition to headlining several of his own tours. Hayes admits he makes a sincere effort to be as open with the audience as possible, showing them not just who he is as an artist, but a person.

"I have worked really hard on trying to kind of be a little bit more aware of the moment as far as being incredibly vulnerable and making sure that I establish at the top of the show that I'm a nerd and I just like jamming," he says. "I like making music and this is literally what my whole life looks forward to that the show is not a job ... the show is the ultimate. I want more of that vulnerable, kind of like transparency. I want everybody to kind of be there with me."

One show that was particularly special to Hayes was when he got to perform for military families. Giving back to veterans is just one cause he's passionate about, and it's something he is bringing that to light with a new partnership with Heartgard Plus and Warrior Canine Connection , which pairs canines with war veterans.

"Here we've got something that's combined sort of the helping veterans and also kind of the healing power of dogs, which I feel very close to having had dogs kind of in my life my whole life," Hayes says. "This seemed like something, really really brilliant and I loved the campaign."

Though the release date for a new album is currently unknown, Hayes has shared three new songs off the project: its first single, "Yesterday’s Song," as well as "Young Blood" and "Amen."

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