The coronavirus pandemic has kept artists off the road, including Jake Owen. The father of two was supposed to be on the road with Lady Antebellum, on their Ocean 2020 Tour, but since that tour was canceled because of COVID-19, Jake is enjoying an unprecedented amount of time at home –– and soaking up every minute.

“I haven’t been this happy in 15 years, which is weird to say in a time like now,” Jake shared on Southern Living‘s Biscuits & Jam podcast (via People). “I’m hoping with this virus and everything that’s happening is that it breeds that same love and energy into people of understanding that life is fragile and … let’s start taking care of everyone around us more.”

Some artists, like Kenny Chesney, have said they feel the most alive when they are on stage. For Jake, he is finding peace in being home, and with the ones he loves the most.

“I don’t feel like a caged animal,” Jake admitted. “I almost feel sometimes on the road like I’m a circus animal that’s in a cage that, come showtime, they open up the cage, and you go out into the arena and you go do your little thing and then all of a sudden they’re like ‘Okay!’ … and the tour manager walks his animal back to the cage and they shut the door and then they roll you to the next city and you get out and do it again.”

The time off the road has given Jake plenty of time with both his 7-year-old daughter, Olive Pearl (from his first marriage), and his 1-year-old daughter, Paris, whom he shares with his girlfriend, Erica.

“I can’t tell you how much this last month … being home every day and the simple things of watching my little girl, as a 1-year-old, crack up laughing in the morning while we’re feeding her a bottle,” Jake reflected. “Usually I’d be calling her from wherever, from a bus, a parking lot … it’s been a really big blessing.”

No word yet when Jake will hit the road again. He just celebrated a No. 1 hit with “Homemade,” and is back at radio with his current single, “Made For You.”

Photo Credit: Robby Klein