It’s not the case of turning in a bunch of songs and recording the next month. I think you’re looking for songs all year long and you’re writing all year long.

I think the industry is oblivious to the fact that most people listen to all kinds of stuff. I personally don’t know of anyone who listens to only one genre of music. It’s vanity because no one does.

I’ve always been a pretty private, quiet kind of person and so I haven’t had to change my life really at all, I don’t think.

Once we get into the groove, we’re kind of like long-distance runners – that adrenalin kicks in for me and I just keep running – and I don’t stop!

My father’s record collection was all country. That’s how I was exposed to it.

It can get a little costly if you try and leave it until then to write songs. But you’re writing all the time. You’re collecting songs. I’ve had songs that have been collected over a two-year period for my next record.

It’s something I’ve always loved doing. I’m not one of the artists who comes in and just does my bit. I’m there every second of every day. That’s my hands-on situation.

It’s not the case of turning in a bunch of songs and recording the next month. I think you’re looking for songs all year long and you’re writing all year long.

They’re mostly done before we went into the studio, although I do like writing in the studio.

You’re always in a different headspace when you make each record, so hopefully they’re all different. You just pick up things that you wish you hadn’t done on the first one.

I’m a little more comfortable in that role. I love being in the studio.

I think it took me a while to convince Nashville that what I do is genuine and my heart’s in the right place, and I love country music.