I think if you sing a song for the first time to your mom and dad, or your friends, and they go, 'That's pretty cool'-if you're playing at the local bar somewhere, or the coffee shop, singing songs, or if you have a gig somewhere and you're singing your own songs, I think that's some version of making it. ... It's not just about having commercial success; it's about having a great life.

That's what I love about Nashville and the music community - seeing kids around acoustic music and bluegrass picking parties is the best.

Country music has always been the best shrink that 15 bucks can buy.

I'm always looking for things that make me kind of uncomfortable.

I'm a member of the George Jones fan club, and I'm a member of U2's fan club.

I mean, the last thing I want to do is be involved in politics.

Country music is always changing but the Opry is always there to serve as a lighthouse for what country music really is. The past, present and future is all encompassed by not only the physical structure of the building but also the radio show.