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

I find the greatest songs in the world come out of pain, and I don't like it! Here's what it does: It strips away all of your facade. It makes you so honest. It's cleansing.

No one can deny, this love I have inside, and I'll give it all to you, my endless love.

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

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

Soul is a feeling, not a color.

Believe me, I love commerce as much as the rest of the readers of 'Businessweek.' But in art, you have to be true to yourself and your musical vision. People have known me well for a long time, so if I was chasing a trend and doing something that wasn't authentic to who I am, they would know it in just a few seconds.