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.
I always give a lot of credit to Ronnie Dunn for making me fall in love with country music.
There's a great enthusiasm for good country music all over the world.
I love country music. I don't ever feel restricted by the genre.
I've always stood up for country music.
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 believe in the future of country music, but a future without roots is like a kite with no string.
New country music comprises about five percent of what I hear per year. I enjoy it, but I don't really take note of who's singing it or writing it.
I grew up listening to 1980s country music, mostly. Early '90s. That time period was my favorite.
I do think I'm country, but your definition of that word might be different from my definition. In my opinion, country music, the sound of country, has always evolved. But the one thing that has not changed is the story element. And I think country songs are truthful songs about life written by country people.
I draw inspiration from anything and everybody and that's what country music is to me... real life stories and real life emotions.
A lot of people that I've met who don't like country music just haven't been introduced to the old country.
I'm more into the old-school country myself, like Dolly Parton, and I guess it wouldn't be typical, but I really love Linda Ronstadt.
I love country music, always have and always will.
Social topics may hit too close to home for people, but then again, if you pull a heartstring, then that's what country music is. It's not just songs about getting drunk and leaving your girl.
I really truly believe I found my identity with country music.
I listened to Country music a little bit, but it didn't enter my life until I started listening to Eric Church.
I love to listen to traditional country music. That's where I get a lot of inspiration.
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.
When I first got to Nashville, somebody said that [Kris Kristofferson and I] were the only two people who could describe Dolly Parton without using their hands.
This is just strictly me wanting to make a record that is the real deal. It is all the stuff that I have learned and know that I remember. It's what I perceive as country music is about.
Around 14, I was turned on to Shania, Reba, Merle Haggard, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood... and I've followed it ever since.
I've never turned my back on country music.
