Heather Converse sat down with the lead guitarist from Taylor Swift’s band Grant Mickelson! Grant joined Taylor’s band back in 2007 and has toured with her ever since. A native of Sioux City, Iowa, Grant stated off playing guitar anywhere and everywhere he could – from his high school talent show and his parents’ church, to bars across the Midwest.

He moved to Nashville to attend Belmont University, and joined Swift’s band after touring with Sara Evens, Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Lady Antebellum. In addition to touring with Taylor, he has played guitar on her blockbuster Speak Now and Fearless albums.

Check out the interview below and listen to him discuss his strange knowledge of Abraham Lincoln and his strange packing skills and how they schedule and rehearse before going on tour.