My dad was a huge country music fan, but he also had a band and he sang. So he'd listen to a lot of music and the songs that he'd learn for the band were more from the male artists. So my earliest country memories were Waylon Jennings, Conway Twitty, George Jones, Johnny Paycheck even.

I really just tried to make a record full of great songs, which is the goal I always have.

The best part is seeing my kids grow and become individuals, and the fact that they're happy and well-adjusted.

It's hard to say no to your kid. It's hard for them to stomp off and not be happy with you for an hour.

God was treated like this powerful, erratic, rather punitive father who has to be pacified and praised. You know, flattered.

With this sweet hope of ultimate acceptance with God, I have always enjoyed much cheerfulness before men; but I have at the same time laboured incessantly to cultivate the deepest humiliation before God.

To be able to keep the promise I made to God, I think that keeps me going. No matter how much the money had been, I would have always fulfilled my promise, as that's the way I am.

I have been typecast in my career, although the type changes with the decades.