I'd like to set things straight, a few more people should be pulling their weight.

I grew up with very hands-on jobs. I was raised on a farm and taught to work hard. In this high-tech, high-speed society, somewhere along the line, we got the message that if we're not a brain surgeon or an astronaut, we really shouldn't be proud of ourselves.

I write about what I know and what I've experienced. That's the only way it can be real to me. I love songwriting. There is something so satisfying in coming up with an idea and turning it into a song that means something to people.

You're not challenging anyone else but yourself. I'd like to have a 300-pound bench, 500-pound deadlift, and a 400-pound squat.

I'm a machine freak. I just love it when you can get a big ol' steel machine to do the most that it's capable of doing.

On the road you can really be more regular about it and work it into daily routines. There's no town that doesn't have a gym. And if you find one that actually doesn't, you can go to the local high school. They always have one.

The romantic stuff comes a lot easier when you're experiencing true love. It feels better, it feels more natural to record love songs when you're in love.