I'm a farmer with a mandolin and a high tenor voice.

Bluegrass has brought more people together and made more friends than any music in the world. You meet people at festivals and renew acquaintances year after year.

I was determined to carve out a music of my own. I didn't want to copy anybody.

Practice every time you get a chance

I wanted to use some kind of name so people would know where I was from. So I took the name "bluegrass." There is not a prettier name in the whole world.

Bluegrass is wonderful music. I'm glad I originated it.

I just hope bluegrass entertainers take care of their music and take care of their fans. If you don't practice, the man next door who is practicing will beat you.

Country music belongs to America.

I just wanted a style of music all my own.

Practice every time you get a chance.

Your most important “want” should be the one you can control!

In art as in love, instinct is enough.

Life in the wild, as I’m observing, is about survival as much as pleasure.

Blood is power, and the heart consumed of one much loved is the most powerful thing of all. After all, what is love if you keep your heart?

You can't treat your voice badly and expect it to stay around.

Our clothing, our food, our household furnishings - all could be much simpler than they now are and at the same time be better looking

Take care, don't fight, and remember: if you do not choose to lead, you will forever be led by others. Find what scares you, and do it. And you can make a difference, if you choose to do so.

Writing is an escape from a world that crowds me. I like being alone in a room. It's almost a form of meditation- an investigation of my own life.

I was the highest-paid street performer, probably, in the history of Chicago. I was making like $800 a day.

An artist don't make you bigger than life - being that person that can break artists can make you bigger than life.