I never knew any Jews until I got into show business. I've found them to be real smart and good workers.

When I'd tell people I like country music they'd get this look on their faces. People were kind of ashamed of country.

If I found out some gal was trying to steal my guy, I'd want to give her a black eye! Instead, I wrote this song. At the time I was writing each song [on this album], you could figure out the frame of mind I was in by listening closely. With every song I've ever recorded, I'm in it. I wouldn't write about it if I wasn't in it.

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.

Me and my partner, Conway Twitty, cleaned up at the 1972 Country Music Association Awards.

Sometimes it's like you're a big pie settin' on the table, and everybody runs up and gets their piece of you. When it's over' the plate's empty.

I've been around a long time, and life still has a whole lot of surprises for me.