Doolittle looked just like a little toy soldier the first time I ever saw him.

Mommy smoked but she didn’t want us to. She saw smoke coming out of the barn one time, so we got whipped.

His son was so young. We need to make sure what happened to his son doesn’t happen to anyone else’s children.

I know what it’s like to be pregnant and nervous and poor.

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

It’s kind of like my first one, … It’s back to real country.

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.

Growing up in eastern Kentucky like I did, I’m used to having a few guns around to protect me.

My life has run from misery to happiness.

Sometimes it’s like you’re a big pie settin’ on the table, and everybody runs up and gets their piece of you. When it’s over, the plate’s empty.

I never knew any Jews until I got into show business. I’ve found them to be real smart and good workers.

We used to go around tipping outhouses over, or turning over corn shocks on Halloween. Anything to be mean.

Fist City.

I’m always making Butcher Holler sound like the most backward part of the United States-and I think maybe it is.

How do you measure your value?

Nobody’s perfect. The only one that ever was, was crucified.

I was shocked when they nominated me for five different things,

I never rode in an automobile until I was 12.

When all those city folks try to fix up my talking, all they do is mess me up.

I just can’t wait to come back, but what hurts me most, honey, is having to leave, … That’s home for me up there. All my memories are there and all my kids’ memories are...

I’m not a big fan of Women’s Liberation, but maybe it will help women stand up for the respect they’re due.

I ain’t got much education, but I got some sense.

Once in a while I get inspired and finish my act with the hillbilly hoedown.

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

I refuse to be pushed around anymore.

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.

My biggest hero, Gregory Peck, was my birthday present on April 14, 1973. I just sat and stared at him.

I’m trying to lead a good Christian life, so there ain’t too much spicy to tell about me.

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

Really, I don’t know what I’d do with myself if I retire. Wash dishes?

When something is bothering me, I write a song that tells my feelings.

I think Charley Pride has been one of the best things to happen to country music, to prove it belongs to everybody.

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

Back then, we didn’t know we were poor, and people were more proud then.

I’ve always been full of nervous energy, but I’m not really as happy as I seem.

I believe in education and wish I had a better one.

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.

Country music has been here forever, but for years a lot of people who listened to country music were ashamed to admit it. What I really think started it booming was Ray Charles and his...

I try to visit people in hospitals when I can, smiling and joking while I’m there. But when I leave, I just start crying.

Who wants to be married to a grandfather?

A lot of people say I’d miss show business if I quit. I’d miss some of it. Now it’s the only life I know.

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

I believe in horoscopes. I was born under the sign of the Ram, which means I’m headstrong, don’t like people telling me what to do.

Sometimes I think our problems are made worse by the kind of business we’re in. Playing these road shows is a weird experience.

A woman’s two cents worth is worth two cents in the music business.

I want more out of life than I’ve gotten.

You ain’t supposed to get salmon when they’re swimming upstream to spawn. But if you’re hungry, you do.

Because Olivia Newton-John wasn’t from Nashville, they didn’t like her winning our awards. I’ve got no complaints.

I’ve seen country music go uptown, like we say, and I’m proud I was there when it happened.

I don’t go to church regular. But I pray for answers to my problems.