I think I first realized I wanted to be in country music and be an artist when I was 10. And I started dragging my parents to festivals, and fairs, and karaoke contests, and I did that for about a year before I came to Nashville for the first time. I was 11 and I had this demo CD of me singing Dixie Chicks and Leanne Rimes songs.

No matter what love throws at you, you have to believe in it.

I had the most magical childhood, running free and going anywhere I wanted to in my head.

Poetry and lyrics are very similar. Making words bounce off a page.

I think when people make a record with a goal in mind - like taking it to the next level or making them seem more mature - that gets in the way of writing great songs.

I'm only me when I'm with you.

I feel like in my music I can be a rebel. I can say things I wouldn't say in real life.