I think I reach people because I'm with them, not apart from them.

I'd love to work more with the American Indians, my people.

I try to visit people in hospitals when I can, smiling and joking while I'm there. But when I leave, I just start crying.

How do you measure your value?

I've seen country music go uptown, like we say, and I'm proud I was there when it happened.

My life has run from misery to happiness.

I know there's some kind of history to mountain music-like it came from Ireland or England or Scotland and we kept up the tradition.