Now I'm a symbol of what to be and how hard to work. I have heads of major labels say, "I wish you could teach our artists how to do it." At one point I was the punching bag of what not to be, and now I'm the model of what to be.

Its five o'clock some where

Record labels today are much less patient: Artists have a bad record, and they're gone.

Music's my medication.

I'm a big sports history buff. I love sports.

An important mentor for me, in terms of teaching me that there's a right way and a wrong way to do things, was probably my football coach. And playing football was one of the first times in my life that I realized nothing is given to you. You have to work really hard.

My fans get enough politics on TV every day. I want them to think for themselves. I don't want them to listen to me.