Kris Allen started his music career playing in local bars in Arkansas, working as a shoe salesmen to pay the rent. He did not know at that time that those small gigs would pave his way to becoming the performer he is today.

“I went from being scared to perform in front of an audience to being a decent performer,” Allen, age 27, said. “Those gigs absolutely helped.”

The season eight winner of “American Idol” will be at the Live @ Veishea stage on April 19, 2013, marking the first time Allen has been in Iowa since he opened for Keith Urban at the Iowa State Fair in 2010.

Allen’s Idol coronation song, “No Boundaries” as well as his version of “Heartless” would both chart within the Top 20 of the Billboard Top 100. 

Allen is currently out on his “Out Alive” tour, supporting his album, “Thank You Camellia.”

Allen was involved in a head-on collision in January involving himself, his wife and dog. Although he has a cast on his arm and is unable to play guitar, Allen chose to not cancel.

“I could have canceled the tour, and the fans would have understood,” Allen said. “I just couldn’t do that to them, and I really did want to get back out on the road.”

Despite the injury, the optimistic singer says he has been enjoying life on the road and promoting “Thank You Camellia.”

“My last record has been the most rewarding part of my career so far,” Allen said. “I have a lot of pride in it. I was involved in writing, production, everything.”

As for plans after the tour, there are several things that have been on the Arkansas native’s mind.

“First and foremost, get my hand healed,” Allen said. “It hinders me from writing and recording music.”

Allen and his wife are also expecting their first child later this year, which he says will “need a lot of concentration for,” being a first-time father.

However, Allen hints at future music and collaboration, “but it’s nothing I can talk about yet,” he said.

In addition to music from “Thank You Camellia,” Allen will be taking cover requests over Twitter. Fans may tweet requests using the hashtag #outalivetour, and Allen will choose one. Whether it’s a tune that Allen performed during “American Idol,” or an old favorite, the band will learn the song the day before the show.