I never set out to write songs about the world around me... it just kind of came about as a result of paying more attention to things.

For a long time I was interested in being a social worker. In a lot of ways I feel that that's all my music is, trying to help people.

I was mainly influenced by the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, and others like Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash.

If something bothers me, it bothers me for a long time until I find a way to work it out. Music provided me with a means of working things out.

I honestly don't listen to a lot of music - I spend so much time working at my own music.

I don't know what other people are like, I haven't been able to crawl inside anybody else.

Making the record was tons of fun, the most fun I've ever had.