Anderson, Ind., native Jon McLaughlin stepped onto the national stage in 2007 by performing on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and by touring as a supporting act for Kelly Clarkson.

Major-label Island Records also issued McLaughlin's album titled "Indiana."

In advance of his New Year's Eve show at the Music Mill, McLaughlin talked to The Star about life on the road, public image and his silver-screen debut:

Did touring as supporting act for Kelly Clarkson bring a different kind of attention than some of the other things you've done?

As soon as we found out we were going to go out on the road with Kelly, it was definitely something that was asked about in every interview from that point on. It was just a lot more of everything: More press and more people came out to the shows.

"Heartland" is a term that's often attached to your name. What does that mean to you?

I guess I take it as a compliment. I certainly don't mind it. The only thing I think about is that it gives off a misconception of the kind of music I play. People can read that and think, "This guy is the next John Mellencamp." It's not exactly that style of music.

But I love that I grew up in Indiana, and I still live there.

There are other adjectives attached to your name that might pique the interest of female fans: "sensitive," "well-groomed," "cute," for instance.

Well-groomed? Well, you know, I definitely have some songs that warrant the label of "sensitive singer-songwriter." As a guy, you kind of want to keep that in check. You don't want to go too far off the deep end. But if you're going to write a love song, you have to get sensitive.

Regarding the whole physical side of things, I think Brad Pitt probably had to work a little harder to prove himself and be taken seriously. I'm not saying that I'm Brad Pittesque by any means, but you can't really control how people are going to view you. You just have to stick to what you're doing. I want to have a career in music, and I hope it happens because of music.

You made your movie debut in "Enchanted." What's it like to be part of the Disney family?

It's not a bad family to be a part of. I sing a great song that was written for the movie. The two guys who wrote it -- Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz -- are legendary Disney writers. I'm the ballroom singer during a scene. It's a short appearance, but the movie is really great. I've actually seen it twice.

Jon McLaughlin
When: 9 p.m. Monday.
Where: Music Mill, 3720 E. 82nd St.
Tickets: $25. For more information, call (317) 239-5151 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.