As a singer, I just want to try to honor what the writers create - and as someone who's trying to write songs, I just hope I can stand in their company and not embarrass myself.

I pay such close attention of the record making process that most people would assume are very little and wouldn't be that big of a deal; the packaging, the title, and the harmonies, I think, are arguably as important as the lead vocals.

There are very few people that I deal with from a business side that it's just strictly a one-sided business relationship. I think that's important.

I'm obviously very involved with my own charity and foundation that I work with. Obviously, I'm very passionate about that.

As a singer, I just want to try to honor what the writers create - and as someone who's trying to write songs, I just hope I can stand in their company and not embarrass myself.

Sometimes you get so jaded, you don't have those initial connections and emotions with music, because you are promoting your own.

I've never really gotten into the whole labels thing. There were times I would cover a pop song, and people would say 'You sound really country.' I gave up on that whole thing a long time ago.