Nashville has a formula, and it works a lot of the time, but it wasn't right for me. They're afraid to step outside the box - even though, with me, my success came because I was outside of the box to begin with.

James Michael and I played everything on the album, then brought in the guys in my band to add their spirit to it with solos and specific parts.

But once you become successful, everyone has an idea of what you should do.

I'm a big fan of '70s records where artists could draw on whatever influences they wanted.

I was in relationship with a guy who was much older than me - either he was past his prime and I was coming into mine. There was nothing I could do to keep his attention.

I think the themes in my songs are very similar from the first album to the newest one. It's all about the human condition and how we are all trying to learn to live with each other and survive love and life.

I never listened to country music growing up.