The passion for doing music, the passion that I have for going out and playing it live - my love for country music is back.

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.

I think it's a natural fit, major league baseball and country music.

When people have passion there's nothing they can't do.

Learning how to relive again on life's terms sure doesn't do much for your confidence. You have to kind of walk in faith that the next step is going to be just a little bit better than the last step.

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.

Sometimes as an artist you get wrapped up in what you are doing and you can't be objective.