America's criminal justice system has deteriorated to the point that it is a national disgrace.

In the end all that matters is climbing and pushing your personal limits. No matter the grade, if you climb something that was hard for you, then that's sick.

I believe strongly in inspiration, inspiration literally meaning full of the spirit. I do believe that it comes to you.

I usually know what kind of song I'm after. I know what I'm trying to do when I start. I don't always get there. But I try to visualize what it's actually going to be.

You certainly don't hear any country music on pop radio today. But for a while you did, and it was a lovely thing to have all the different genres of music cohabitating the Top 40 - the folk sound, The Beatles, the British sound, the Motown sounds, that kind of light country - it was a welcome relief after a few hard rock records. Everyone was sharing the airwaves, and I think it was a beautiful time for American music.

I like words. I like the way they clash around together and bang up against each other, especially in songs.

What has worked before is never as good as something that has never been tried before, even if it doesn't work.