The overall physical demand that Iraq has is pretty amazing. It's 130 degrees, and the soldiers are carrying about 100 pounds of extra gear. It's a pretty rigorous schedule and routine for them.

My first record deal was an independent record deal back in 1995 or early 1996.

I believe in angels. I believe in God.

It doesn't really matter to me what the rest of country is doing. I'm not caught up in trying to make a record that sounds like everybody else. That, to me, is a record label's absolute biggest downfall.

For me, I wanted somebody that got me musically, that understood that I'm an artist and this is who I am. I'm not going to be like another artist on your label, probably - hopefully. I found all those things with the Broken Bow group.

Winning the ACM, winning the CMA, my first time on the Opry and having Grammy nominations were all a big deal to me.

I'm a traditional country singer and we're always trying to make that a fresh and modern sound. That's always going to be the challenge with me.