I have a very down-to-earth father. My wife is an actress and famous herself is more down-to-earth than anyone I know.

When you're a creative person, there are just times when you're not listening. You know, I could be looking right at you and thinking about something else.

I don't have, you know, an 'overcoming addiction' story, other than the guitar itself, and I haven't overcome that. I don't have a jail time, you know, story, or any arrests.

I take his talent and his passion with me - to the stage of the Opry, to the podium at the CMA Awards, to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, into my own living room. I am the realization of my grandfather's dream. I am a player.

When I made 'Who Needs Pictures,' my first album, I had been west of the Mississippi River one time in my life, and that was in fourth grade. We traveled to California for vacation and stayed with some friends of my parents. It was culture shock, and it was different.

My father's a firefighter. He was my whole life. And my brother-in-law and several family members are firefighters.

My dad was president of the volunteer fire department, which was within walking distance to our house. I spent several days of each week there with him - any time the whistle blew, he went. It was truly inspiring to watch him lead that way.

There's something about being out here on the road that the hours aren't anything like what you're used to when you're at home.

If you're somebody that gets a chance to go somewhere... that has to work somewhere or go to another city, then do your best to see it. Because I just think that's the best way to have an interesting life.

It's hard to be judgmental once you've been around the world... it's pretty hard to be anything but understanding, and I think it's good for everybody to get out and see someplace other than where you grew up.

It's crazy how loyal country fans are. I can't say enough how much that means to me.

I feel sort of really aware of how the... online cyber world has begun to take over reality.

When you fall in love, you don't have a whole lot of time. But when it comes to a heartache, all of the sudden you have time on your hands, and it's an outlet for you to write.

As a songwriter, it can be a kiss of death for you to fall in love.

Out in Hollywood, you get the feeling when people are talking to you, that they are looking right past you - like they're looking to see who else they can talk to.

In Nashville, if people don't like someone, they say, 'I don't really like him,' then add, 'bless his heart.' In Hollywood, they kind of leave that last part off.

When you got something you gotta do in your career, you do it. When you get home, and there's work to be done, you do that. It's all about balance.

At certain times in your life, some things are heavier than others.

That was my trick. I interned a lot.

I defuse everything I can with it. Humor is such a great shield.

I don't like being surrounded by yes men.

I don't want to do risky. I want to do important. And lovable. Important and lovable.

You're going to get flak if you tell the wrong joke, but it's still the wrong joke. Give the wrong speech, you take it on the chin.

I've been ripping the Rolling Stones off with every song I write in some form or another.

Everybody goes through a period where you're fighting a lot, I think. Sometimes that can be a good thing for your relationship. That conflict can lead to making up.

Life isn't always black and white. You're not always sure you're right. At least I'm not.

It's rare that you're sure you're right in life. I'm finding that.

We learned that whether or not you support the war, you honor the soldiers that fight.

I don't feel like I have a legacy.

I don't think I'm influencing younger artists - they're not trying to be me. But I don't say that in bitterness. I say that with realism.

I don't think I've changed anything in the country format whatsoever. But I'm not worried about it. I've found my place in it.

I'm the smart aleck. The class clown. I'm the guy who does the song nobody expects.

I'm not a person you can figure out in one month. And you can't listen to one song and say, 'That's who he is.'

I'm done with rules that are there just to be rules.

The hardest part about writing any song is, what do you write? And how do I rewrite things? You start to run out of ideas that feel fresh.

I'm a country musician. I know how to play jazz, and I can play rock. But I've had to fight my entire career to get a little respect from people who don't understand where I come from.

I'm not comfortable doing a covers album.

No one needs to recut 'He Stopped Loving Her Today.'

My first tweet was at the CMT Awards when I won an award and typed, 'Thank you.' Then I was hooked because the followers started multiplying. It's a great tool.

I don't like to look back. I love the next challenge and don't keep awards. There are a few that are really important, but my parents have most of them.

If you make the mistake of looking back too much, you aren't focused enough on the road in front of you.

I'm not answering questions with my songs.

I don't have the answers. But I am asking the questions, and that's the fun part. I'm like the kid in class with his hand up, going, 'Um...' I think that's a powerful place to create from.

The truth is, I mostly thought about 'Accidental Racist' in terms of my fans. This song was meant to generate discussion among the people who listen to my albums. What I was most worried about is that my fan base would think that I was preaching to them.

The last thing I ever want to do is be preachy.

I'm of the mindset that God loves everyone.

I don't want to be hurtful to anyone.

I don't talk about the people I vote for.

You shouldn't listen to my music for political messages.

Here's the problem with talking about who I voted for. If I say I voted for Romney, then everybody's like, 'Of course.' If I say I voted for Obama, everybody's like, 'Of course.' And then I'm no longer the guy you can't figure out.