My path is exactly where I want it to be. I'm doing my thing. I'm getting better with every album.

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

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.

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.

You never take your fans for granted. You always appreciate them every show, night in, night out.

American Idol allowed us to find Carrie Underwood.

Alcohol is perfect for me to curb the nerves a little bit.