Well, I had a record deal since I was 18, and it got me where I am.

I don't think I've ever put it in words before. But daddy took a gun and ended his life and took momma's with him.

I think a lot of people think that my parents' deaths is why I write such sad songs, but that's not true. Those songs may just be the woman I am.

I don't talk about my personal life. But the relationships I've had have usually been with other musicians. It's just easier that way.

If you think too much about something, you're not feeling it.

I'm the audience first, and if you're gonna be a great performer, you need to be a great audience. So, I do music for me first, and whoever likes it likes it, and whoever doesn't -- well, it's just not for them.

A great hang is mandatory. But in all of my years as a traveling musician, on a whole it's been pretty damn magical. There have been a couple duds along the way, but most time, I'm in awe of the guys who want to play on my records.