The reason Colt Ford's blend of country and rap feels so natural has everything to do with his background, both professional and personal. Just like his closest "hick-hop" competition, Cowboy Troy, Colt grew up listening to country -- his first concert was Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton -- along with R&B and hip-hop. When the Georgia native reached adulthood he began writing songs, eventually earning co-writing credits with Jamey Johnson, Jeremy Popoff, and the alternative rock band Lit. After a few years, the popular country music duo Montgomery Gentry became clients, then the...