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.

I love people and I love to sing, and that's what keeps me going.

Really, I don't know what I'd do with myself if I retire. Wash dishes?

I don't go to church regular. But I pray for answers to my problems.

Once in a while I get inspired and finish my act with the hillbilly hoedown.

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.

Sometimes they work, and sometimes they just won't. Sometimes you get hung up on them. When that happens, you just throw it back, and maybe come back to it two or three weeks later.