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Country music belongs to America.

I've always liked country music. It's a certain aspect of America that goes back to the British Isles and the influence is very native to America.

What is American music? The most satisfying answer I've come across is that it was a kind of natural comfort with the vernacular which is diverse and regional; it's not one particular set of sounds.

Country music originates with the colloquial, rural aspects of white America. It's really, truly, rural white America's blues.

American music is a powerful ingredient in international music, and as much as it comes from within, it also comes from without.

I firmly believe that we have more latent musical talent in America than there is in any other country. But to dig it out there must be good music throughout the land, a lot of it. Everyone must hear it, and such a process takes time.

Music is a performing art, as any Native American will tell you. It isn't there in the score.

Even the most jingoistic person would have to admit that even American cultural music comes from Europe. That's what classical music is, real European music.

Ireland and America, music-wise, are very closely related. The Irish came over with their fiddles in hand, and you can hear it in the bluegrass and rockabilly. I love it when music from different countries combine.

There's been a shift: Country music is popular music now. Every other genre wants to come over to our land.