I recently found myself going through a period of uncertainty about my future as a performer, my status as a personality, the believability of my Christian witness and the knowledge of God's will in my life. I felt a force bigger than myself saying, 'Lay back. Take it easy. Study hard. Read your bible. Think, write and keep your mouth shut for awhile.'

Sam Phillips responded most to a song of mine called, "Hey Porter," which was on the first record.

I sang those old gospel songs for my mother, and she said, is that you? And I said, yes, ma'am. And she came over and put her arms around me and said, God's got his hands on you.

Loneliness is emptiness, but happiness is you.

There's a lot of things blamed on me that never happened. But then, there's a lot of things that I did that I never got caught at.

I have tried drugs and a little of everything else, and there is nothing in the world more soul-satisfying than having the kingdom of God building inside you and growing.

When you sing, you pray twice.