But in those days - in the mid-'50s, early '60s - there was less than 300 radio stations that were playing country music and a lot of that wasn't full time.

But if you put a script up in front of me to read, or a cue card, I couldn't do it without stuttering.

I'll do about 13 shows in Branson next year, and I'll be performing at the Grand Palace.

And then, when I started to school, I found out I couldn't talk.

But in those days - in the mid-'50s, early '60s - there was less than 300 radio stations that were playing country music and a lot of that wasn't full time.

I didn't get to meet Hank Williams. I was in the Air Force on Okinawa when he passed away.

You know, it comes from my mother's side of the family. She had seven sisters and one brother, and all of them could play instruments. I suppose I picked it up from that.