I also have a different, softer side, and I want for people to hear that.

Long intros are cool because there's a little bit of anticipation, you know?

I learned a lot about my audience and about myself as a performer, what I like to do live.

There's room for everyone. There's room for pop country, for 'rock & roll' country, for stone-cold country, and everything in-between. Great music is great music.

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

Country music fans are extremely passionate and loyal. It seems that country artists have longer-lasting careers because the fans stick with the artists through thick and thin.

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.’