I'm so grateful that I'm able to do something about this passion that I have for shelter animals. In a strange way, it completes me. It means so much to me and makes me feel like I'm truly making a difference.

When you're just singing a beautiful melody with a story that's true to the heart, you don't need a lot of embellishment.

I was feeling single, seeing double, wound up in a whole lotta trouble.

It's basically a city of songwriters and that's what gives it it's strength, that's what gives it its lasting ability. You've got people making all different kinds of music and that's what attracts me to Nashville as Music City.

It's just a sound, and a feeling that's in the music. And you either hear it and appreciate it, or you don't.

Patriotism can be good or bad. Knee-jerk patriotism can be very bad. I'm patriotic almost to the point of self-consciousness, but I love my country the way I love a friend or a child who I would correct if she was going the wrong way. Who I expect the very best from.

A good song deals with the human condition, and the truth of the human condition.