The bedrock thing of country music is, it's about storytelling. I feel like I was able to find a niche because I connected to that in some way.

I kept thinking, I went to college and I have to get a real job.

I don't really remember my folks singing to us, but they read to us.

I take my chances. I can't cling to remorse or regret.

I love to write songs and sing them, and I didn't really know much more than that. Somehow it's gotten to the point where a friend can say, "It's very you," and that made me feel good.

Emmy Lou Harris introduced me to the work of the Vietnam Veterans of America foundation and the Campaign for a Land Mine Free World.

So I think that if I do feel more freedom right now in my career, it's not so much because I have less at stake but more a sense that I've learned more.