You want to sell records, but if you want to call yourself an artist, your job is how you express yourself.

We sat together as a family for dinner at night. And my mother had a job. My dad had a job. But there was always a meal on the table at 6:00, you know.

The first award I ever won was for Best New Artist from the ACMs, so they always will hold a special place in my heart.

I'm like everybody: I gain the Christmas 10 or so, and then I try to exercise more and dial it back.

I can't satisfy myself with just trying to tie all of my imagination into music, especially when music is not appreciated as an art form as much as it used to be.

Creating music based on art and giving away from your spirit is more important than making a living.

My imagination is so far out there already. People couldn't imagine what goes on in my brain.

My freshman English professor at Kent State University in 1984 told me I was a good writer, and she loved all the silly pictures I drew in my notebook. She said I should try writing children's books, and so I did.