I felt as a human being I needed to take a pause and reflect on a lot of stuff that's happened. That was really good for me. And to get some of the ringing out of my years from all the amps on stage.

If I'm 40 years old and wearing a 30 waist, that's pretty good.

I grew up in east Tennessee, and everybody knew everybody's business.

I was on one bus with my band and crew for seven years. I didn't come to town with a karaoke tape. I didn't get on a TV show. There were no shortcuts. Anybody who wants to follow my model is welcome to it. You don't want to follow my path.

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

I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm a helluva kisser.

I want there to be a level of respect between everybody.