You can shut out the world. But you always have to stop, and the world is always waiting when you do.

It didn't make much difference what time of night it was, whenever [my father would] come in drunk, he'd say, "Get up and sing me some songs." We didn't want to sing but we sang.

Anybody who loves country music loves gospel. Even they are competing with the same type of problem that I'm competing with. We older artists are competing with the new style of country, with their new modern style of gospel, with the young people.

He stopped loving her today, they placed a wreath upon his door.

Be real about what you do. Stay true to the voice inside you. Don't let the 'business' change what it is you love because the people, the fans, respond to what is heartfelt. They can always tell when a singer is faking it.

God bless the boys from Memphis, blue suede shoes, and Elvis.

There's nothing prettier in the world than a melody. I can get lost in a song with a melody.