I grew up very modest, and I never forget that.

During college I realized I had a music predisposition and really got involved in it. I started playing bass guitar. That was how I began to fit in.

I don't walk around with a cowboy hat. I did get a tattoo that says 'cowboy' that's a bit of an over-compensation, probably.

I'm not a Republican, and I'm not a Democrat.

When I get all focused on songwriting, I get into all the marketing and promotion that we do to make it happen. Then the right song comes along and blows it all out of the water. The right song will do it for you every time.

My own grandmother went to great lengths to make sure I knew simple things like how and when to open the door for a lady. And the best thing my mama taught me was to pray.

I grew up in trailer houses in New Mexico, Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma.