To me, songwriting is the backbone of Nashville. Looks can go, fads can go, but a good song lasts forever.

It's a scary word, 'cancer.'

Wembley way is beginning to blacked with people in terms of red and blue

You have to be tough-skinned and willing to accept criticism, and at the same time, just try to do music that you like and you are proud of and not just whatever you think it's going to take to get you on the radio.

Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke risin' against that blue sky? Did you shout out in anger, in fear of your neighbor or did you just sit down and cry?..

You think about people like Hank Williams, who stood on that spot of wood, and Mr. Acuff, and, of course, George Jones. And just about anybody you can think of who has made country music has been on that stage. That's what makes you so nervous - to think about the historical part of the Opry and how it's played such a part in country music.

I've had to live with women all my life. I grew up with four older sisters, and I was the baby and the only boy.