More and more, I see myself as a folk musician, and someone who values context.

The ephemeral nature of live performance is the part I love most - it's a monk's sand painting, carefully constructed, then wiped away in an instant.

"Country" has become a marketing term. I see myself as a songwriter.

Being in the studio is like painting, you know, you can really take your time, and try different things, and kind of go deep into it.

It was never too late to undo who you had become.

I am so sick of reading about another car bomb, another suicide bomber, another 10, 20, 30, 70, 100 people dead in a day, both Americans and Iraqis.

The religion I have is music. Even the times I have headaches, when I'm singing, I can't feel them. My dad used to say that, too, especially near the end of his life. He would be in pain - a lot of pain - and he said the only time when he didn't feel pain was when he performed and sang.