The only reason I wound up in Nashville and went to Belmont University is because that's where I needed to be.
— Brad Paisley
I can't play a solo without thinking about John Jorgenson. I always think about what he would do.
I still consider myself working in Nashville. I visit Hollywood.
I don't talk about the people I vote for.
The last thing I ever want to do is be preachy.
I'm not answering questions with my songs.
My first tweet was at the CMT Awards when I won an award and typed, 'Thank you.' Then I was hooked because the followers started multiplying. It's a great tool.
I'm a country musician. I know how to play jazz, and I can play rock. But I've had to fight my entire career to get a little respect from people who don't understand where I come from.
I'm not a person you can figure out in one month. And you can't listen to one song and say, 'That's who he is.'
I don't think I'm influencing younger artists - they're not trying to be me. But I don't say that in bitterness. I say that with realism.
It's rare that you're sure you're right in life. I'm finding that.
I've been ripping the Rolling Stones off with every song I write in some form or another.
I don't like being surrounded by yes men.
At certain times in your life, some things are heavier than others.
Out in Hollywood, you get the feeling when people are talking to you, that they are looking right past you - like they're looking to see who else they can talk to.
I feel sort of really aware of how the... online cyber world has begun to take over reality.
If you're somebody that gets a chance to go somewhere... that has to work somewhere or go to another city, then do your best to see it. Because I just think that's the best way to have an interesting life.
I love the Smothers Brothers.
My home town was really great to me. If you've ever watched 'The Andy Griffith Show,' it's like Mayberry.
Here's the problem with talking about who I voted for. If I say I voted for Romney, then everybody's like, 'Of course.' If I say I voted for Obama, everybody's like, 'Of course.' And then I'm no longer the guy you can't figure out.
I don't want to be hurtful to anyone.
The truth is, I mostly thought about 'Accidental Racist' in terms of my fans. This song was meant to generate discussion among the people who listen to my albums. What I was most worried about is that my fan base would think that I was preaching to them.
If you make the mistake of looking back too much, you aren't focused enough on the road in front of you.
No one needs to recut 'He Stopped Loving Her Today.'
The hardest part about writing any song is, what do you write? And how do I rewrite things? You start to run out of ideas that feel fresh.
I'm the smart aleck. The class clown. I'm the guy who does the song nobody expects.
I don't feel like I have a legacy.
Life isn't always black and white. You're not always sure you're right. At least I'm not.
You're going to get flak if you tell the wrong joke, but it's still the wrong joke. Give the wrong speech, you take it on the chin.
I defuse everything I can with it. Humor is such a great shield.
When you got something you gotta do in your career, you do it. When you get home, and there's work to be done, you do that. It's all about balance.
As a songwriter, it can be a kiss of death for you to fall in love.
It's crazy how loyal country fans are. I can't say enough how much that means to me.
There's something about being out here on the road that the hours aren't anything like what you're used to when you're at home.
I like comedy.
I don't think you can get everything based on who you know, but you can't get anything until you do know the right people.
You shouldn't listen to my music for political messages.
I'm of the mindset that God loves everyone.
I don't have the answers. But I am asking the questions, and that's the fun part. I'm like the kid in class with his hand up, going, 'Um...' I think that's a powerful place to create from.
I don't like to look back. I love the next challenge and don't keep awards. There are a few that are really important, but my parents have most of them.
I'm not comfortable doing a covers album.
I'm done with rules that are there just to be rules.
I don't think I've changed anything in the country format whatsoever. But I'm not worried about it. I've found my place in it.
We learned that whether or not you support the war, you honor the soldiers that fight.
Everybody goes through a period where you're fighting a lot, I think. Sometimes that can be a good thing for your relationship. That conflict can lead to making up.
I don't want to do risky. I want to do important. And lovable. Important and lovable.
That was my trick. I interned a lot.
In Nashville, if people don't like someone, they say, 'I don't really like him,' then add, 'bless his heart.' In Hollywood, they kind of leave that last part off.
When you fall in love, you don't have a whole lot of time. But when it comes to a heartache, all of the sudden you have time on your hands, and it's an outlet for you to write.
It's hard to be judgmental once you've been around the world... it's pretty hard to be anything but understanding, and I think it's good for everybody to get out and see someplace other than where you grew up.
