I think of a song in terms of lyrics and stories, and that's what keeps it country for me.

Within the songwriting community, there are these unwritten rules for the way that a song should be written in country music, and I think that those rules are constantly being broken over the years, and the molds change and the process is evolving.

The most flattering thing I hear is, 'I didn't think I liked country music before I heard your record.'

I do think I'm country, but your definition of that word might be different from my definition. In my opinion, country music, the sound of country, has always evolved. But the one thing that has not changed is the story element. And I think country songs are truthful songs about life written by country people.

I have two or three guys that I'm really close to. We have a great friendship, and I think that helps our songwriting relationship. It's hard to start... with new people and cover the ground that I've covered with those guys.

Obviously, I love country music, so I wanna be able to live in the country music genre and then play to country music fans.