My parents split up when I was about 2. I realize more and more how much I'm like my father. My gentleness comes from my mother.

Nashville's like any other hometown - after a while, it's stifling.

I think a lot of men are afraid of pretty things, and I'm not, I like pretty songs.

As a southern man, there's two things I'm definitely not scared of: bow ties and white pants.

I didn't do anything differently than what my father was doing. It's a really hard family to rebel in. I could have become an accountant. Or I could have become a Republican.

All my records have been written to be records, rather than writing a group of songs and seeing if they fit together.

I didn't get into music to become a blues musician, or a country musician. I'm a singer-songwrit er. In my book that means I get to do whatever I want.

I've never been good at rock'n'roll songs, anyway; either I'm blessed or I'm cursed, but whatever I write comes out sounding old.

I heard Nirvana, and discovered that songs could be like poetry, but a little bit more refined: you didn't have to have 20 verses to get your point across.

I always watched movies and rooted for the bad guys, you know? I've always been that kind of guy. I still hold some respect for criminals that are good at their jobs.

I love Motown, but I've obviously always been more of a Memphis soul fan. If it's Stax or Motown, I go Stax.

Life during the wedding day can be so simple, but life after the wedding day can be THE HARDEST.

Do you mind if we leave here so I can chain smoke 'til I throw up so it will be easier to quit?

If you take a little time, let's say three weeks off, after recording a song, and you listen to it every other day, you're just going to know eventually.

You know, when I was a kid, I always thought Id grow up to be a hero.

Replace fear-based thinking with love-based thinking.

And where does the power come from, to see the race to its end? From within.

It is what you do about what happens that counts.

Their friendship was more important than any relationship. Guys would come and go; girlfriends were forever.

Life sometimes gives you a second chance.

A pleasing personality helps you win friends and influence people. Add character to that formula, and keep those friends and maintain that influence.