WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Pat Green used to be the party guy.

"It's the easiest thing to do when you're out there traveling around and every night you bring the party to town, when that's your responsibility -- to make sure people are having a good time."

In the late '90s, Green took the good times to the four corners of Texas, where he and his band had a huge following, drawing thousands of fans to their shows.

But after years of success playing Texas clubs, Green says, he re-evaluated what he wanted from his career.

"I was really just going so hard and so fast on this road, I had to look at where I wanted to be. I wasn't willing to walk through this life and not be proud of myself."

Today, at 35, the married father of two is proud. He's on one of the biggest tours of the year. He released his 10th album, Cannonball, on his new major label. The two singles he has released have done fairly well: Dixie Lullaby hit No. 24 and

Feels Just Like It Should reached No. 13 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart.

"I'm excited looking at the year as a whole. We've got a great record out; we've really done some hard work this year. Looking at the big picture, that's how I keep perspective," Green said by phone from Arkansas.

Green's perspective changed a few years ago when he decided to take a shot at national success. In 2001, he saw one of his songs crack the Top 40 on Billboard, but some fans criticized Green for leaving Texas.

"People take ownership with a band, and then when the band goes and tries to make it nationally, they feel, 'Oh, my gosh, our little secret is out.' But this is a country built on the ambition of all. If I stayed there and didn't give us a chance to go as big nationally as we could, I'm not just selling myself short, I'm selling my entire band short.

"This is all of our lives, and if I don't give them a chance for financial growth, for financial success, for retirement, I'm not being a very good boss. And, honestly, you can't do that in one state out of 50."

Green also thinks celebrities have a social responsibility. He supports the American Red Cross and is a member of its Celebrity Cabinet (he's featured in print ads in Country Weekly). But he says it's a small contribution to make.

"When you sing and dance around onstage for a living, it's your responsibility (to give back)," he says. "You shouldn't get patted on the back for doing something like that."

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• Kenny Chesney, Pat Green and Sugarland will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday at Germain Amphitheater, 2200 Polaris Parkway. Tickets cost $39 and $77 at the amphitheater (614-431-2200) and Ticketmaster outlets (614-431-3600).