I grew up in a very modest house. We were poor-we lived on the poverty level. We all got jobs as young kids.

I'm very much a traditionalist, but I think it's important to know about tradition so that you can evolve the music you are deciding to make.

I came along at a time when the industry was eating its young.

I'm not a Democrat, I'm not a Republican-I'm an American, I'm a human.

If I have a hit, then I hope the people who like the hit song go out and buy my album so they can hear it all.

I've learned a lot about my voice, and about things I can do with it. Maybe that's why my sound has become a little more pop.

Human beings are not designed to be alone. None of God's creatures are.