Singer-songwriter Logan Mize will be playing a country-rock show at 8 p.m. April 24 in the Maintenance Shop in the Memorial Union.

Mize is a solo artist who was born in Clearwater, Kan., and is currently pursuing a career in country music in Nashville, Tenn. Mize has released two albums and has another on the way. He has opened for several notable acts, including Lady Antebellum and The Band Perry.

“I have all sorts of influences,” Mize said. “I like to play with words. It’s country, but it’s got a little rock, a little Americana and a little rockabilly. It’s kind of a blend of everything; I grew up listening to it all.”

Mize grew up having talents in both music and writing. It was not until later in life until he decided on a career that involved both strengths.

“I started playing piano at age 7,” Mize said. “I was really into that. I was more interested in listening to it more than trying to play a bunch of songs. I did piano recitals and stuff, but then I got into creative writing in high school. That was the class I kind of excelled at, while the rest of them were just there. I never put the two together until I got to be about 18 years old. I picked up a guitar and started playing and trying to make up stories. That’s kind of how it all came together for me.”

The young artist released his first album in 2009. The self-titled release, which Mize describes as a learning experience, was recorded after the budding music writer made the move to Nashville.

“I [recorded my first album] when I was 23,” Mize said. “I was still pretty naive and new to town. I had just been in Nashville for about 3 years. I felt like I was on to something with my writing, but I hadn’t quite ringed it in yet. I didn’t play on it, I hired a bunch of Nashville studio guys. I brought them in and showed them the songs.

“It turned out really cool for what it was, but looking back, there’s parts that I cringe listening to and parts I refuse listening to,” Mize said. “Some of those songs are a little rough. That’s part of it: you have to grow and change, otherwise you’re never going to get anywhere.”

The singer’s more recent record, “Nobody in Nashville,” was released two years ago under Big Yellow Dog Music. Mize was much more involved in the album’s instrumentals and feels that he matured under the guidance of his producer.

“[‘Nobody in Nashville’] came out in 2012,” Mize said. “It was a little more of an organic thing, it was done with a friend of mine over in a garage in East Nashville. We came back to his place and did all the overdubs with guitars and vocals and stuff. I love all the songs. It was just something I had to try, with this guy being attached as producer. I just love all the songs he writes, and the style and sound. I think three of the songs are written with him.

“He taught me a lot. I learned a whole bunch. He made me play mandolin and acoustic and electric guitar. Harmonically, he really pushed me to be a musician on that record. If it wasn’t for him, I’d probably still be insecure about being a musician, and owning what it is that I do.”

Logan Mize is currently gearing up for the release his next album, which is expected in early July.

“Now I’ve kind of moved on,” Mize said. “We’ve got this new record I’m working on. I feel like I can take ownership a little bit more, and steer the ship where I want to go. It looks like it’s going to come out July 1, or that week anyway. Somewhere in that area.”

In 2013, Mize had some camera time on national television. He was featured in a “Cotton of Our Life” commercial with Hayden Panettiere of ABC’s country series “Nashville.” He was also a guest on the CW series “Hart of Dixie.”

“I’m not sure how that happened,” Mize said. “A girl at our publishing company named Courtney, she was really pushing my stuff to the immediate producers of [‘Hart of Dixie’]. They really liked my stuff. They invited me to come out, play a couple of songs on the show. As long as I was hanging out on set, they were like, ‘Why don’t we try and give you a part and put you in the show?’ It was fun, I’d do it again. I’m not really sure how that came about.”

April 24’s appearance will mark Logan Mize’s first stop in Ames.

“I have never been to Ames,” Mize said. “I’ve been to Cedar Falls, so I’ve been to northern Iowa. We did Sioux City, but I’ve never been to Ames before at all.”

Whatever atmosphere there is for the night’s turnout, Mize expects to play a show that will play off the mood.

“We try to play to the crowd,” Mize said. “I don’t want to say it’s a party if there’s seven people sitting there in chairs wanting to hear the lyrics, but we try to have a good time. If they want to listen to music, or if they want to party, we can [do] it all. We just want to make sure that anyone that comes to the show is going to have a good time.”

Whether you want to listen to the lyrics or party, you can do so with Logan Mize in the M-Shop on April 24. Tickets are available in person at the M-Shop box office or online at midwestix.com for $8 per student and $14 to the public with a $2 increase the day of the show.