Singing as a full-time job was not something I had given a lot of thought to and I had no clear notion of the money to be made in it.

There only have been two people on this earth that I was nervous around: Chet Atkins and Mickey Mantle. It's because of the respect I have for them.

A lot of celebrities relish politics and are eager to lend their names to candidates and causes. I never wanted to be a spokesman for anybody.

I realize I was more of a curiosity to the older Nashville artists than the new ones.

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

I think there's enough room in country music for everybody.

My brothers and sisters all sang, too, and they all have good voices.