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.

There's just a lot of really, really great male artists right now, and it's good, too. And there's so many different influences in country right now, too, like hip-hop and rock 'n' roll and some blues. So I feel like if you turn on country radio, you will find something you'll love because it's so diverse right now. And that's a great thing.

My mom was always saying: 'Be whatever you want to be, but stick with it. Don't waver. Don't change who you are for anybody.

At the very beginning of my career I felt very strongly about what type of artist I wanted to be.

My mom was never afraid to say, 'I'm sorry. I screwed up.' I feel like that's an important lesson.

Be confident and comfortable with yourself. If you know us, we are definitely not shy, and never try to be anything we are not. No matter what anyone tells you, you are perfect, just the way you are.

I don’t care about being stick-thin. I don’t want stuff to jiggle. Really skinny actresses make me hungry — I see them and think 'Honey, you need to eat!' I’m lucky I don’t have to live like that. I feel my best when I’m a toned, not flabby, size 8. Women come up to me and say, ‘You’re beautiful and confident, and that makes me feel I can be, too.’