I get more respect from rap artists than I do from my own industry. I don't always write the kind of music that country executives want. Rappers are like that too .. my words come from the street, and their words come from the street. That slicked-up pop stuff doesn't come from the street, it's all pre-fab.

We ain't got a lot, but we don't need anything. Covered in kisses, surrounded by love, showered with blessings from up above.

My mom taught us the Serenity Prayer at a young age.

There's a band of studio session - hot players - that play on my albums... They're an eclectic bunch of misfits that I've worked with for years and years.

My deal will always be one solo performance-nominated or not. Not some thrown together rock tribute.

There's some nights I can't remember with friends I can't forget.

The Iraq War has thrown such a heavy shadow on Afghanistan that you can't hardly get any news about that now. I went to Afghanistan this year and spent more time there than I did in Iraq ... just 'cause they were forgotten about, and I wanted them to know that I appreciated it.