If it's a good song and it fits me, that's what I'm going to do, I'm not out there trying to change the world. I'm just out there trying to sing country music the best way I can.
I guess a good song is a good song is a good song, ya know.
You don't play around with a good song. You try to just say it right in the proper place, and if you get the music and voice in tune, you'll be all right. That's always worked for me.
I had some good teachers. One of the greatest teachers I've had is bluegrass music: going back and listening to Bill Monroe's music, the Stanley Brothers, Flatt & Scruggs. When I was with Ralph Stanley I learned a lot from him.
It gives the listener a good workout, to listen to the music, the same as it does us to play it.
I used to be opposed to collaboration, and that's probably why the music in the past wasn't as good. Writing with other people, especially the great writers that I've had the privilege to write with, it activates something in your mind that you wouldn't use alone.
When superstition is allowed to perform the task of old age in dulling the human temperament, we can say goodbye to all excellence in poetry, in painting, and in music.
I used to think that, given enough goodwill, anybody would be able to 'get' any music, no matter how distant the culture from which it came. And then I heard Chinese opera.
When I was younger, my dad was making a music video for a band in Montreal. I was goofing around and being a ham. An agent was there and she was telling me, 'Hey, do you think you'd want to go out on auditions?' I was like, 'Yeah, what's an audition? Sure, I'll do it.'
One of the most fun parts about my job is that when the music gets recorded live at the end of the project and real musicians play it, I still get goosebumps every single time.
And whether you're drawn to gospel music or church music or honky-tonk music, it informs your character and it informs your talent.
Gospel music rhythms are not African in origin, although I know that's what the jazz experts say.
I listen to gospel music.
I'm a big fan of gospel music, and you cannot be a fan of rock and roll, you cannot be a fan of country western music, and you can't really be a fan of jazz without listening to a lot of music that's religious.
Gospel music is never pessimistic, it's never 'oh my god, its all going down the tubes', like the blues often is.
My dad's name is Robert Stafford. His music name is R. L. Stafford; he makes gospel music.
I like to listen to Beyonce or any type of upbeat music when I am working out. Gospel music always motivates me.
It's quite interesting that in my growing up I had several influences. We had gospel music on campus. R&B music was, of course, the community, and radio was country music. So I can kind of see where all the influences came from.
I was always drawn to gospel music and the roots of African-American music. It's the foundation of rock and roll.
The gospel music and doo-wop is what has informed me personally.
