Being the boss of your own career, you get used to having veto power and getting what you want, or as close to what you want as you have mapped out.

We don’t need more ‘What if the mother is going to die’ debated, we need ‘I had an abortion because I was not ready to be a mother. It was my choice and my right. I own it. Back the f@#( up.

If you want to be noticed as a drop of water, why would you move to the ocean?

Country music is completely punk-rock. It's the original punk-rock.

The most tender place in my heart is for strangers. I know it's unkind, but my own blood is much too dangerous.

You're not supposed to totally know what's happening. The songs are supposed to give you clues so you can fill in the blanks.

The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight. The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You.

I would be a huge hypocrite if I didn't tell you that at one time in my life I thought the way that you made music was you got on a major label and you got famous.

Playing in an independent rock band will eventually make you equal parts truck driver, gladiator and mule. Glamour is for those with trust funds.

We shouldn't censor ourselves based on the weak idea of "looking cool." It's such a waste of potential awesomeness.

I grew up with lots of animals and I related more to them than I did to people. I feel a lot of empathy for them.

When I was a student I spent a lot of time in the library. That's where the books and smart girls were.

Keep your eyes open to your mercies. The man who forgets to be thankful has fallen asleep in life.

My leadership will end the Obama era and begin a new era of American prosperity.

Usually there's no specific reason for loneliness - it's a broad feeling.

The player who expects a lesson to 'take' without subsequent practice just isn't being honest with himself or fair to his professional.

Somebody once said I had a face for radio and a voice for newspapers.

Socrates asks him the crucial question about education, and that is, If you study with this fellow, what will he make of you?

In these long-standing conflicts, I find that most cases it gets resolved in about twenty minutes after each side can tell me the needs of the other.

Some people live where they work. Others just visit.​

The Mexican...is familiar with death. [He] jokes about it, caresses it, sleeps with it, celebrates it. It is one of his favorite toys and his most steadfast love.