You always have to work to become a better singer, songwriter and performer.

I'm kind of at a point in my career where I can get away with traditional stuff and then get away with some more rocky and pop and edgier stuff, too.

I always want to make an album that lets people immerse in it, kind of like you get caught up in a good movie.

Rain makes corn, corn makes whiskey.

American Idol allowed us to find Carrie Underwood.

I want to be comfortable on TV. If I'm comfortable, they're comfortable watching me. I think nothing's more icky than watching icky on TV.

To have your first No. 1 as an artist was everything I could have ever dreamed for. Now we're keeping our fingers crossed, and hopefully we'll have many more, but there's certainly nothing like the first one.