My dad and grandpa were in the army and as a country singer you're constantly playing at military bases all across the country and meeting soldiers and their families and hearing their stories. Votes: 25
When I was 13, I was just figuring out how to play 'Eruption,' poorly, by Eddie Van Halen. Votes: 23
That's what I love about Nashville and the music community - seeing kids around acoustic music and bluegrass picking parties is the best. Votes: 13
Country music is always changing but the Opry is always there to serve as a lighthouse for what country music really is. The past, present and future is all encompassed by not only the physical structure of the building but also the radio show. Votes: 10
I'm a member of the George Jones fan club, and I'm a member of U2's fan club. Votes: 9
I'm a huge fan of Billy Idol. I spiked my hair every day like him in 7th and 8th grade. Votes: 9
But as far as being an American and loving this country and getting a chance to travel across it every day and meeting people on the road and folks in the military, I love this country on so many different levels. Votes: 8
I'm part of the party, getting the crowd fired up, singing songs, pouring drinks, whatever it takes to get them to have a good time. When I walk into the meet-and-greet, someone's always going to have a story, a sad story or a happy story. Votes: 8
Blackberry Smoke is the real deal! Votes: 8
I like big shows, a lot of volume and a lot of energy. I love electric instruments. But I do love mixing those with bluegrass instruments and cranking those up, too, with a little bit of that rock energy. Votes: 7
As a songwriter, you might write every day and throughout the course of a year you might get four songs that are really special. Votes: 7
So darlin' if your wonderin' why I brought you here tonight I wanna be your husband I want you to be my wife I ain't got much to give you but what I got means everything Its my last name Votes: 6
I also was a huge 'Dukes of Hazzard' fan. I used to have T-shirts that said 'Dierks of Hazzard' custom-made. Votes: 6
I'm thinking of you, that's all I do, all the time. You're always the first and the last thing on this heart of mine. No matter where I go, or what I do, I'm thinking of you. Votes: 6
When you go to the Opry for a show or hear it on the radio, you get the whole circle of country music. Votes: 6
George Strait is the king and Kenny Chesney is about as big as it gets right now, though I wouldnt mind going back out on the road with him. Maybe I could go out on the road with some singers from other genres. Votes: 6
I try to make an album that reflects what I love about country music. It's not just all about happy parties all the time. There are some sad songs. Votes: 5
You can't write about stuff you don't know about. You have to live it. You have to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. Live life to be a good songwriter. Votes: 5
I think the great country songs mixed with some of that bluegrass instrumentation - and surrounding all that with a little bit of a rock vibe and energy - is the kind of music I make. Votes: 5
And if I want to get involved in choosing sides, I usually pick hockey or football. Votes: 5
And I'm the biggest country fan there is, but I'm always a little cautious of a slower song or just a song with subject matter. Votes: 3
I have been waiting a long time for this. It's been my dream forever. Now that it's a reality, I love it. I haven't been burnt out at all and I have a bunch of guys with me that feel the same way. Votes: 3
Patty Griffin is iconic, and there's no other word to really describe her. She is iconic for a lot of people - not only for me but for a lot of fans. Her voice is one of a kind, and she's such an important figure in the American music scene. Votes: 3
I'm always looking for things that make me kind of uncomfortable. Votes: 3
In Vegas, everyone lets their hair down a little bit and it's a little looser. You expect to see some different stuff and hear some different stuff. Even the red carpet is different here. Votes: 3
I mean, the last thing I want to do is be involved in politics. Votes: 3
No, as an artist, you have to be free to explore all the corners of your heart. There are no boundaries. Votes: 2
Country music has always been the best shrink that 15 bucks can buy. Votes: 1
I think if you sing a song for the first time to your mom and dad, or your friends, and they go, 'That's pretty cool'-if you're playing at the local bar somewhere, or the coffee shop, singing songs, or if you have a gig somewhere and you're singing your own songs, I think that's some version of making it. ... It's not just about having commercial success; it's about having a great life. Votes: 0
I always say the best applause you can get is when you walk from backstage up to your microphone at a concert. It's also nice to walk up to the mike at an awards show, and that applause is great, too, but the best is when your fans are cheering for you. Votes: 0
You cant write about stuff you dont know about. You have to live it. You have to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. Live life to be a good songwriter. Votes: 0