He played every instrument on his debut album, became the youngest solo male singer to ever have a #1 song on Billboard's Hot Country chart and his single "Wanted" just went double-platinum. So it came as no surprise to us that Hunter Hayes is nominated for three Grammys -- but it certainly took him off guard.

"I still don't believe it," Hayes told MTV News during "Live from the MTV Newsroom: Hunter Hayes," where the singer performed two of his hit songs and sat down for an extended interview.

While Hayes admits that each of his three Grammy nominations mean "a great deal" to him, he revealed he's a little nervous if he beats out fellow tour mate Carrie Underwood for Best Country Solo Performance come Sunday.

"Well I doubt that's going to happen so I don't have to worry about that," Hayes said about beating Underwood. "I don't even want to talk about that. I'm scared. I'm scared for that day."

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And while he may be scared to take home that award, there are two others, Best Country Album and Best New Artist, that he would gladly accept, and he's prepared to do so.

"I have somewhat of a speech prepared," Hayes said. "I have my list: it's always God, mom and dad, team and I elaborate from there, and obviously, I feel like there are so many different ways to say it."

Hayes, who said he is "flying solo" to the award show, admits that it's going to be "nerve-wracking" being in the same room with many other artists that he's "studied" and "listened" to, especially his fellow nominees for Best New Artist, including Frank Ocean, Fun., The Lumineers and The Alabama Shakes.

"They are all shaping sounds. They aren't just making good records or putting on really good shows or writing really good songs. It's that and ... again, I just feel so grateful being a part of this category because these are people that are making new sounds," Hayes said. "These are sounds you're going to refer to in year and half. When I go in to make my record, and I'm like, 'I want that sound. Like remember what was on that certain record?' You name it, from this category, they are shaping new sounds. I hope someday somebody can look back and say the same about me."

Do you think Hunter has the power to becoming a future inspiration? Let us know in the comments!

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