You ain't supposed to get salmon when they're swimming upstream to spawn. But if you're hungry, you do.

When I first came to Nashville, people hardly gave country music any respect. We lived in old cars and dirty hotels, and we ate when we could.

If I had a chance to do things over again, I might not start singing. It was my husband Doolittle's idea. He pushed me out there, the booger. And I'm out there now, so I might as well make the best of it.

When I lost my husband [Oliver "Doolittle" Lynn], I just didn't want to work so hard anymore. I hate that I didn't quit things a lot more before he was gone. I stayed home for six years to take care of him but, at some point, I also felt I had to go back to work.

I was married when I wasn't quite 14 and had four babies by the time I was 18.

I want more out of life than I've gotten.

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