Nick Jonas was influenced by Prince for his solo album.

The 17-year-old singer - who releases his solo album 'Who I Am' with his side project The Administration in February - said the Grammy Award-winning singer's signature sound helped shape several of the songs.

He said: "I've heard one or two stories about how the guys in the band were asked by Prince to come and do some things with him, but they had to decline. Prince played a big role... obviously".

The group - who are set to undertake a series of concerts across the US next month - made their debut performance on the Grammy Nominations Concert Live! TV special.

Nick said he might even get the chance to hear from the man himself when the band makes a stop in his hometown of Minneapolis in January.

He added to MTV.com:  "I think it's going to be really funny when he sees them up on the stage. And I'm just waiting to see if Prince is going to show up and be sitting there, like, with a blank face on. Hopefully he likes it."

Nick said he was influenced by many other artists and looked to them for inspiration.

He said: "The artists that I was kind of going for were people like Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers and, as far as lyrics, Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash. ... I really try to pour some heart and soul through these songs."