WOODBRIDGE, Va. (7News) — Rising country music star Shaboozey is getting ready to perform on country music’s biggest night.

It’s been a whirlwind for the Woodbridge, Virginia, native, who had a breakout single this summer, “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”

Born Collins Obinna Chibueze, he graduated from Gar-Field High School in 2013. 7News anchor Michelle Marsh spoke with some of his teachers.

“Shaboozey was easy to remember,” said computer science teacher Larry Baker.

Baker said he had trouble pronouncing Collins’ last name, so he often called him by his nickname “Big C.” Baker has been a teacher for 28 years and says he never forgets a face.

“Basically the same face, but more hair,” Baker said as he looked at an old yearbook photo of Shaboozey.

They described him as a strong student who strived for good grades and Baker thought he would pursue a PhD in computer science.

“He was definitely an introvert. He was good at computer science, and I kept trying to get him into computer science and he was determined to do well,” Baker recalls.

Teachers said Shaboozey was on the football team, but they were unaware of his musical interests. He was not part of the school’s music program.

Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” is nominated for a CMA, single of the year. The song has spent eighteen weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart to date.

America Edwards is an administrative assistant at Gar-Field; she recently reconnected with her former student at his concert in Charlottesville, Virginia.

“He just gave me a big hug and it was just nice,” Edwards said.

Edwards loves country music and said she loved Shaboozey’s approach to the genre.

“It’s a little bit of hip-hop and country,” Edwards said.

Edwards and Baker said Shaboozey’s success inspires current students to set goals and go for them.

“Thanks for bringing us good news, Shaboozey,” Edwards said.

The CMA Awards will air on 7News on Wednesday from 8 p.m