You get used to sadness, growing up in the mountains, I guess.

I think Charley Pride has been one of the best things to happen to country music, to prove it belongs to everybody.

You have to be the first, best or different.

I get along with all the women singers, but especially Dolly Parton. We talk the same hillbilly language.

You don't see no city when you look at me cause country's all I am. I love runnin' barefoot through the old cornfields and I love that country ham. Well you say I'm made just to fit your plans but there's a barnyard shovel pick your hands. If your eyes are on me you're lookin' at country.

Write about the truth. If you write about the truth, somebody's living that. Not just somebody, there's a lot of people.

I'm always making Butcher Holler sound like the most backward part of the United States-and I think maybe it is.