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.

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.

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

I'm a big sports fan in general.

When I'm writing a song, it's just me and the songwriters. Then when the song is done, there are publishers that hear it, then people in my management, then my wife and my boys and my friends, and if they're all lovin' it, it's kind of withstanding all the criticism I need.

I think the attraction to country music is the fans, the lure of the hardcore fan base.

Anytime I sing the anthem, it is an honor and my heart beats out of my chest.