He's written some great songs. I thought that "Blues Man" was a perfect song for me to do as a tribute.

You just write about things that happen.

Growing up in Georgia, I used to think people up north or out west were so different. They're really not. They're just regular people who live in small towns. They grow up and try to raise families and have a job and go to church and play softball. It's that way everywhere.

You think a lot of people get to be big stars and get a little crazy, but most of the ones I've ever met have always been surprisingly normal, and I've enjoyed that.

I could have done a hundred songs, really. It was hard to narrow them down, because I tried to pick songs for the most part that actually did have some effect on me or influenced me in the past.

The music business doesn't take up that much of my time. I probably should put a little more energy into it.

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