Quote

Write your own songs. It helps you to mean what you're singing, which will then make it mean something to listeners.

Use the creative process - singing, writing, art, dance, whatever - to get to know yourself better.

I really like singing, but coming from a small town like where I grew up, how do you start that journey?

I think the best advice I give is to try not to write. Try not to overwrite, try not to make it sound too good. Just use your own voice. Use your own style of putting it down.

If you want to be a singer, you've got to concentrate on it twenty-four hours a day. You can't be a well driller, too. You've got to concentrate on the business of entertaining and writing songs. Always think different from the next person. Don't ever do a song as you heard somebody else do it.

The very best thing you can do is to try to write a song that has some sort of impact.

My advice to singers is always the same: 'Don't sing the song, sing the lyric.'

I don't want anything to get in the way of me and my singing. I want my mind as clear as possible.