I don't even want to call it God. I just want to call it connecting with something that's greater than I am. So that's the biggest thing from Tennessee - the spirit.

I can't believe the ignorance there, so I don't allow it to affect my life, I don't allow it to come into my zone, and it's not in my world, really.

I create my own reality. And I'm not the only one. My reality is becoming more prominent.

Even the sad roots songs have a lot of good stories to them, and the murder ballads are good too. I mean, who doesn't like to watch a nice gory murder film on TV?

I like performing live more than anything. I get a little bit afraid in the studio.

The point is to raise your voice and be heard to God. You really are just celebrating being in the presence of other people that believe the same things you believe.

They're all personal and self-created challenges that I think I've overcome within myself. Being confident enough to get on stage and play, things like that.