My father’s record collection was all country. That’s how I was exposed to it.
Nothing like seeing the genesis of the relationship between an instrument and a child.
There are certain songs that are sacred. People want to hear them just as they are in their head; they don’t want you messing around with them. And then there are some other songs, if they’ve been around a long time in our set list, that I think we can take some creative liberties with.
Red carpets are pretty unpredictable. You can go from one person asking you what you’re wearing to the next person asking you about the situation in Haiti. It’s the extreme juxtaposition, and some of the questions can throw me!
Since I was a kid I just wanted to be in Nashville.
A song like ‘Once in a Lifetime’ is inspired by my marriage – it’s a good, life-changing happening in my life. I think when you find your once-in-a-lifetime love, that’s what everybody’s looking for.
The world is getting so reality-driven these days. It seems to be accelerating exponentially. But it’s a dangerous game for a lot of people.
I’ve never wanted to name an album from a song title if I could avoid it because I like it to be a body of work.
I’m a little more comfortable in that role. I love being in the studio.
I think the industry is oblivious to the fact that most people listen to all kinds of stuff. I personally don’t know of anyone who listens to only one genre of music. It’s vanity because no one does.
If I knew what I was doing, I’d be doing it right now. I would be the best damn poet, silver words out of my mouth. My words might not be magic, but they cut straight to the truth. So if you need a lover and a friend, baby, I’m in.
You go through life experiences. Each record captures a different turning point in my life.
At the end of the day, the Grammys are about recognizing genres that are making an impact.
Being with my family is very important to me, and touring is very important to me, too, because it’s who I am. It’s what I do.
I’ve always been a pretty private, quiet kind of person and so I haven’t had to change my life really at all, I don’t think.
If it’s a real dream it’s uncrushable.
Sometimes I just cry at random stuff!
I always wish I’d had more mentors, better mentors, wiser mentors, people who were proper professional working musicians to guide me as I was coming up.
From the cradle to the grave, temptations all around. But no matter how good the fix, its gonna take you down.
Let water wash our bodies clean, and love wash our souls.
Once we get into the groove, we’re kind of like long-distance runners – that adrenalin kicks in for me and I just keep running – and I don’t stop!