Jordan Davis grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana, and since he’s experienced Mardi Gras nearly every year of his life, he’s got a lot of advice for those attending for the first time.

“My main piece of advice is everybody needs to experience New Orleans at least once,” says Jordan. “Another piece is just pace yourself. It is pretty much a month-long party, so just pace yourself, try to stay hydrated that’s not alcohol, have a blast and catch a bunch of beads. Get a sign – that’s another piece of advice. If you’re really going after beads, get something that catches their eyes. Also, when it comes to making signs, best advice, make it a hoop, ‘cause if you have somebody on a float, if they have something to throw at, you’re gonna get a ton more beads.”

Mardi Gras Day is next Tuesday (February 25th). Also known as Fat Tuesday, it’s the last day of the Carnival season as it always falls the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. The most popular time to visit New Orleans is the extended weekend before Mardi Gras when you can catch parades, like Endymion, Bacchus, Zulu, Rex and all of the festive celebrations throughout the whole city.

The Louisiana native, who is on the road playing sold-out dates including a two-night stand in Denver at the end of the week, is making his way to the top of the country charts with his latest smash, “Slow Dance in a Parking Lot.”