Find something that makes you want to give and give and give 'til it hurts.

When I was asked if I wanted to perform on the Grand Ole Opry, I yelled, 'Are you kidding me?' I've been waiting for that my whole life. To be invited where so many of the greatest country artists have performed is an honor, and I still can't believe it has been bestowed on me. Just to stand in the circle where so many greats have stood-Hank Williams, Kitty Wells, I just couldn't believe it.

Find something that makes you want to give and give and give 'til it hurts.

One of the things that I'm dying to do is to sing the hook on a big rap song. No one's ever called me to do that.

You gotta love and learn and learn to live.

You gotta laugh and love and take all life has to give. You gotta live and learn so you can learn to live.

I'm a kid who grew up in an all African-American neighborhood and got into schools and aspired to just be me, and didn't worry about labels or anything. Just wanted to be a success at what I did.