Fans are what make a performer and I've always taken them seriously.

Besides good schools, a good airport, and the Cowboys, Dallas had golf courses, and golf was fast becoming an obsession with me.

As far back as I can remember, the radio held a special fascination for me.

After 14 months of military service, I had a wife, a child, half an apartment, no car, and no job.

I was sometimes jeered by black soldiers who wanted me to sing something besides country music.

The tastes of country music fans are not limited to the narrow range defined by consultants and programmers and record company moguls.

I've tried to help a lot of young artists get started.