I didn't realize until I was older what a huge music fan my daddy really was, and actually that my grandma played banjo at one time, and I didn't even know that until a year or two ago.

Hee Haw was probably my biggest exposure to live music at a young age, because there wasn't any live music around my town and no one in my family played instruments.

A country song is a song about life.

Faith, hope, and love are some good things He gave us; but the greatest is love

The older you are, I think you realize what you enjoy and what you don't need, what wears you out and what's important.

To me, songwriting is the backbone of Nashville. Looks can go, fads can go, but a good song lasts forever.

I don't like politics, hypocrites, folks with poodles.

Tonight I'm the designated drinker.

I'm usually just enjoying life.

I'm hooked on my baby's love, there ain't nothing in the jug this strong.

Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke risin' against that blue sky? Did you shout out in anger, in fear of your neighbor or did you just sit down and cry?..

Lost spirit. Judges without justice, priest without religion.

Positive words are well spring of hope and healing.

I have witnessed how the power of listening, storytelling and embracing gray areas breaks through the rigid 'us vs. them.

Quiet that self-sabotaging inner voice that lays blame anywhere besides at the altar of your feet. We are responsible for the quality of our lives.

What cannot be done today, will not be done tomorrow. We will find bigger excuses!

I do not object to the construction of rail roads and canals.

In reality, most women 'choose' abortion because they believe they have no other choice.

The mind longs for what it has missed.

Shakespeare was of us, Milton was of us, Burns, Shelley, were with us. They watch from their graves!

Whoever puts his confidence in men or in any creature is very foolish.