I was always suspicious and looking over my shoulder because that's how I was raised.

There's been a shift: Country music is popular music now. Every other genre wants to come over to our land.

I hope my music sets up the platform for me to be able to do lots of things - to have a cowboy-boot line, maybe, or do a perfume or makeup deal.

I'm really fortunate because, in my career, I haven't had to deal with anybody trying to make me something I'm not.

I used to play for 200 people and now I'm selling out places that hold 16,000 people. It's a big change, and it's so cool to see people out there screaming the words to songs that I wrote. It just really reassures me that what I'm doing is working, and it really boosts my confidence, as far as on stage as a performer and a writer.

Country music has always sort of been country music.

I carry a weapon. I got a death threat a few years ago and was really scared. But I don't want bodyguards. I am my own security.