"When I first came to Nashville, people hardly gave country music any respect. We lived in old cars and dirty hotels, and we ate when we could."

"I avoid going through places where there's too much poverty."

"I wouldn't have dared ask God for all that He's given me. I couldn't have done it on my own. I thank God every day for what I have."

"The night I announced I was getting married, Daddy paced for hours on the porch."

"You can't be halfway in this business. If you don't meet the fans, you lose all you've got."

"I didn't know how babies were made until I was pregnant with my fourth child."

"Some of my friends who know me best say they wouldn't trade places with me for $1 million because of the pace I lead."

"My attitude toward men who mess around is simple: If you find 'em, kill 'em."

"When I'd tell people I like country music they'd get this look on their faces. People were kind of ashamed of country."

"I've been married to the same man for all this time. The way we fight sometimes, you can tell."

"We still lend our old house out to relatives. They keep a guest book for my fans to sign."

"I want more out of life than I've gotten."

"I'm proud of being part Cherokee, and I think it's time all us Indians felt the same way."