Country music has always been about as close to R&B as you can possibly get. We're storytellers.

Today we've learned to celebrate mediocrity. Back in the day we had creative artists; today we have created artists.

Forget about 40 years in show business. Just surviving 27 years of Nicole Richie is enough.

Country is bringing in a little rock element... a little '80s element. Melody is king now. But its just in the music, its not so much in the songwriting, which is still very basic to the storytelling aspect of it.

I grew up with the Grand Ole Opry, Dottie West, Conway Twitty, Buck Owens... not realizing it was influencing me as much as it was.

I find myself going out on the road to get my confidence back, because I lose it at home.

I always like to challenge myself. I never want to be put into a box.