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.

As far as politically how country music goes, it's true that it's regarded from a distance as a genre of music that at different times, the more right elements of the political spectrum have claimed for their own.

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

I feel that it's nothing if not an incredible privilege to be able to get up on stage and play for people, and I don't ever take it for granted.

You've gotta know happy. You've gotta know sad. 'Cause you're gonna know lonely and you're gonna know sad

About age ten, we moved from the place where I was born, moved overseas.

You know, I didn't have enough money to quit my day job... the myth of the major label deal. Nowadays, you have a tour bus and a stylist and all this stuff. But back then, no way.