I remember thinking, "This girl's got it all, and then some!". Unbelievable voice, great dancer and so very beautiful. Without a doubt, she's one of the most talented artists the world has ever seen or heard, and I think she's going to continue to amaze us for many, many years to come.

People ask me who is my favorite country artist. I say, you mean besides George Jones.

It's sort of like my past is an unfinished painting, and as the artist of that painting, I must fill in all the ugly holes and make it beautiful again.

Knowing that I inspired SAM SMITH is one of the most powerful experiences I've had as an artist. I was Sam. I still am Sam.

Unless I am both capable of and willing to reopen the wound every time I write a song, if I choose to not look inside myself to write music, I'm really not worth being called an artist at all.

My work as an artist is completely separate from my work as a philanthropist.