I am just what I am, I'm just what you see. So I'll make it easy, I'll stay me.

I think the defining moment in my career is the day that I moved to Nashville - September 1, 2001. That's the biggest step to getting here is making that move. Anything that happens, the wonderful opportunities that happen to you, can't happen until you make that move.

Early in my songwriting career, when I was learning a lot about writing songs, I'd force myself to sit down until I came up with something.

From my dad I learned to be good to people, to always be honest and straightforward. I learned hard work and perseverance.

Anything I've ever read by John Irving has been really well written.

I wouldn’t necessarily say she is a country artist. I mean, obviously Taylor Swift started in country, but she morphed into somewhat of a cultural icon, so, who am I to judge what she is?

People hear me talk and they know my background and they immediately stereotype me as being a real, real country guy, and that's the right stereotype. But you also want people to know you're a little broader than that, too.