You've got to capture an audience. You don't go out there and just sing, or just play. If you can't capture an audience, you might as well not be out there.

Don't be a blueprint. Be an original.

I don't owe one man one cent. Anywhere.

The greatest thing the Democrats have ever done for me was to defeat me for the governor of Tennessee.

I'm just another Opry entertainer. I'm not the start of the Opry, and I'm not the ending. I'm not the Alpha, and I'm not the Omega. It's been a pleasure taking part in the Opry and country music these many years. I'm part of a big operation.

I've done a whole lot of things. I've had the pleasure of introducing two presidents, several senators and congressmen.

My health is good; it's my age that's bad.