Professionally, I want to keep playing music; I can't escape that.
Ever since I was a kid, this was all I wanted to do. I've wanted to do music. I wanted to sing. It's all I know.
When I started making music, I was like, 'This is something I can believe I was meant to do.'
I was sort of in denial about doing country for awhile but I sort of grew up and realized who I was, what I wanted to say. I think country music is the best music in the world and I'm glad to be doing a country album. I hope people will love it as much as I loved making it.
Once I discovered music, I knew what I wanted to do.
I don't like listening to records a lot after they're done. There's just no real nourishment there for me.
I want to have a huge album that's, like, 18 or 19 tracks. I hate those albums where there's only, like, ten tracks, and you're left thinking, 'Is this it?'
As far as my solo record, I don't want a gold record or anything, I'm happy to be small and to have the people appreciate the music who really like me for being me.
I feel like that's so important, to enjoy my own music. Because if I'm not passionate about my music, then it's going to show to the fans.
I don't take anything for granted; awards and all that go with it are very nice, and it's nice to get a positive response, but for me, it's about the music. I don't make music to win awards. I make music for the people.
I've been talking a lot about how music chooses you because you can pinpoint when you had the epiphany that, 'Wow, I really want to do this.' But there's no real rhyme or reason about choosing to be in this industry. It's one of those things where there is no real guarantee; there is no real rulebook to follow.
My hope for young bands, honestly, is that they do it because they love it, they do it because it's real.
I love music, and that is what I care for, and that is what I deliver for people.
Singing live is my favorite. When people sing along to your songs, the circle is complete.
I think it's all about the people who listen to your music, and loving playing and writing. Once you've got those two, and they're your main two priorities, then radio and TV and all the other stuff that comes with it will come. But that's not the be-all end-all.
We know what we like in music, and we got into music to try and give back what we got out of it.
So okay, I accepted, and I realized while working for that concert that I'd been missing something very important and vital to me, and that something was music.
The fact that music is my first love and that after almost two decades, the love has grown every year... I'm truly thankful for that and want to always show my appreciation to those who keep me motivated and inspired.
Wherever your musical interest takes you, whether it's just in your garage or in your shower, never forget why you started. Keep that first and foremost in your mind.
I don't even have the plaques in my house - the gold and platinum-selling plaques. I gave them to my parents and grandparents. It was never about the numbers, never about the money. It was always about the music. That's all I care about.
I definitely want to do music for the rest of my life. So I just want to make sure that I'm doing music in the way that I feel is the way I need to.
We really believe in our music, and it's still heartening to know that it's appreciated, and that's what sticks.
