I just got into it like a lot of people through the rock 'n' roll bands in the late '60s that turned to country music, like The Byrds and Buffalo Springfield, but particularly through The Byrds because of Gram Parsons, Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman (with their 1968 album Sweetheart of the Rodeo). They kind of introduced English kids to Merle Haggard and George Jones and the Louvins (brothers Charlie and Ira).

Some people can't physically hear things. A kid that listens to Metallica or something can't hear that, because he's filled himself up with this stuff, he physically can't hear a banjo or a harp or something.

Those days she was just a beautiful girl, now she's framed and hung up.

I've worked hard, every single day since I left school. I think I have a Protestant work ethic.

You can be addicted to misery the same way as you can be addicted to drugs.

People tend to repeat the same quotes at me that I said when I was 23. And of course, you say things then, and sometimes they're ill-advised.

The truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark. It scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark.