I was 17, and a friend said, 'Man, you've got to listen to this song,' and he played 'Man to Man.' From there on, I was hooked on country. Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Clint Black. Every show that came through America West Arena, I was there.
When I think about country music, I think about America.
For me there are two types of country: There's the shoot-yourself-in-the-head country, and then there's really good country music.
There's a great enthusiasm for good country music all over the world.
When I was growing up, Nashville was the place to go if you had songs to sell and thought you had talent and wanted to tour and be on Grand Ole Opry [radio show]. It was the big deal back in those days to play the Grand Ole Opry. And you could travel around the world saying, "Hi, I'm Willie from the Grand Ole Opry".
When I go into a room to write, it's like I'm not trying to say, 'I need to write a song that sounds like Eric Church or Jason Aldean.' I just try to get the best song that's in the room that day. Whatever style or sound that may be, I'm not afraid to attack it at that angle.
I love country music. I don't ever feel restricted by the genre.
I've always stood up for country music.
I grew up listening to 1980s country music, mostly. Early '90s. That time period was my favorite.
I think country music is Lynyrd Skynyrd. I think a lot of the country music is what we do, but I don't think rock & roll is dead at all.
I'm not trying to claim I'm a country singer, but I do love country music.
I lean traditional, but 'Head Over Boots,' it's pretty country.
I actually started singing country music at 4 years old, right when I started learning how to sing. I would cover a lot of Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes, Trisha Yearwood, that kind of stuff, and it just feels very authentic to me. It's always been there through the years. Even when I was in my band, I still listened to country.
My guitars, Cadillacs, and hillbilly music Is the only thing that keeps me hanging on.
I love country music, always have and always will.
I'm a big fan of country music.
I love to listen to traditional country music. That's where I get a lot of inspiration.
I listened to Country music a little bit, but it didn't enter my life until I started listening to Eric Church.
I'm a huge fan of Rascal Flatts and a huge fan of Kelsea Ballerini, too.
I have a confession to make - I truly love country music.
Around 14, I was turned on to Shania, Reba, Merle Haggard, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood... and I've followed it ever since.
Country music isn't a guitar, it isn't a banjo, it isn't a melody, it isn't a lyric. It's a feeling.
I grew up with all kinds ofmusic, but my heart was particularly drawn to Country Music because of the guitar playing, the lyrics and of artists like Steve Warner and Vince Gill.
I do love country music. And a real musician.
I have always been infatuated with country music.
