Life doesn't get more real than having a newborn at home.

If I was concerned about my legacy, there’s no way I would ever sit there [and be a reality-show judge]. Once your career becomes about some¬thing other than the music, then that’s what it is. I’ll never make that mistake.

There's just a lot of people that hold on to what country means to them. I love fiddle, I love steel, but I don't think it should be a rule that it has to be used in every song. I think that's not what defines or makes country music.

When I feel like every day when I get up I'm writing songs, that's the time to make a record.

I've played shows with injuries before but unfortunately cannot overcome having no voice.

The town I came from really had one industry, and that was furniture.

As far as writing, it's grown because I've really grown comfortable with who I am.