Second Cup Cafe: Jack Ingram

Our "Second Cup Cafe" is gearing up for the 45th annual Academy of Country Music Awards with country-rocker Jack Ingram.

The Texas native has come a long way since his 1995 self-titled debut album.

Already an ACM Award-winner, Ingram is entering this year's show as a nominee and performer. Ingram is a nominated in the Vocal Event of the Year category for his duo with Patty Griffin, "Seeing Stars."

Before heading to Las Vegas for the festivities, Ingram stopped by "The Early Show Saturday Edition"'s "Second Cup Cafe" to perform "Barefoot and Crazy" and "Free" off his latest album, "Big Dreams & High Hopes."

Ingram kicked off his career from the ground up by performing at bars and roadhouses between Dallas and Houston, where the crowds loved him.

In the mid-'90s, he took his talent on the road and toured with his Beat Up Ford Band. During that time, he also released two well-received independent albums and opened for artists such as Merle Haggard and Mark Chesnutt.

In 2006, his hit song "Wherever You Are" essentially brought him to where he is now - and the buzz around his impressive live shows led him to opening for big names, such as Brooks & Dunn, Sheryl Crow, Toby Keith, Martina McBride and Brad Paisley.

In 2008, Ingram was named Male Vocalist of the Year at the Country Music Awards.

Watch the 45th Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 18 at 8 p.m. on CBS.