A big part of country music is a way of life, at least from my standpoint. That's how I craft my music from my own life experiences.

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

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

It's pretty cool to see how far music can take you.

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.

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.

I'm a really, really optimistic and really, really positive person. My main thing is, 'Enjoy life. Celebrate life.'