Quotable Country – 03/28/10 Edition

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I kinda wish I had learned to play the guitar better. My band finally took mine away from me because they said I was messing them up. ●
- – George Jones is no kinda instrumentalist.

When I come on [the radio], I usually change the channel! ●
- – Me too, Craig Morgan!

It’s more of a partnership. I entered into this thing, because I have a lot of respect for Toby. I’m finishing up this new record, and when I get ready to make that decision on what the first single is going to be, I’m going to sit down with him and we’ll go over the stuff, because I value his opinion. ●
- – Trace Adkins. With Toby’s input, I’ll bet his next single ends up being something about a dog…

I’m horrible in crowds. I just get so nervous. This happened to me when I was in high school, before all of this. I would start having panic attacks in Walmart. I do not like shopping in close quarters and stuff like that; I just can’t do that. This is my space [draws an invisible square around her small frame]. And I’m really weird about it. ●
- – Carrie Underwood. Finally, I understand the reasoning behind this dress:

John [Rich] called [Gretchen Wilson] “a straight line in an industry that moves like a sidewinder,” a tribute to her well-defined stylistic values. Those values, heavily fueled by Southern rock and barroom blasters, are at the heart of I Got Your Country Right Here. ●
- – In other words, she’s betting the farm on a formula that stopped working five years ago.

Too often, stepdads get a bad rap. But 11 years ago, Brad Paisley changed all that. [...] “I hope I’m at least half the dad that he didn’t have to be.” I honestly don’t know if there’s a better lyric in country music. ●
- – And if there were a better lyric in country music, you can bet that Alison Bonaguro would know it, what with her extensive knowledge of all things country, dating back to, ahem, 1999. Also, stepdads never ever get a bad rap anymore, all thanks to Brad Paisley? Well, I don’t know about that…

I didn’t even know who [the song] was from. I still actually don’t know who sent that e-mail to me — I don’t know — and I opened this song and I listened to it probably 30 or 40 times that morning. I cried like a sissy every time I heard it, and I said, ‘That’s me, man. That’s my story.’ ●
- – Sammy Kershaw on “Better Than I Used to Be.” Someone should show him how to read the email “From” field.

I haven’t seen any of it. I’m not a big TV watcher in general, though. I was so blessed to be a part of the show, but I’ve never been a reality show person as far as watching them goes. I just never have been. ●
- – Kellie Pickler admits to not following American Idol. Faux pas.

I was amazed that no one had written that song. It just seems like such an obvious one, to be standing there in the moment while somebody’s getting married that you wanted or thought you might want, but it’s too late now. I loved the lyric of that song. I was surprised nobody had ever written it. ●
- – Gary Allan on “Today.” Of course, someone had written that song. Here’s Marty Robbins in 1959:

I’m uncomfortable campaigning. Honestly, I don’t like that part of it. I understand that people love to get involved and it’s cool that they can, but vote for who you want. If you’re happy with somebody’s show last year and you had a great time, vote for them. If that’s me, that’s great. If not, I will stand and clap for whoever wins. ●
- – Brad Paisley effectively withdraws from the ACM Entertainer of the Year race (Swift’s to lose, anyway).

And it worked again Saturday night when McGraw entertained more than 13,000 rowdy fans with huge hit after monster hit during an energetic two-hour show at the Saddledome.
The singer played up his country hunk image by sporting some circulation-restricting jeans and a cream-coloured see-through shirt while shaking his toned tush as often as possible to the delight of one or two women. ●
- – If only one or two women are enjoying it, might be time to ease up on the tush-shaking, Tim.

I don’t bounce all over the stage, don’t have smoke and lights. ●
- – If you’re going to a Gene Watson show, expect it to be… dark.

When we do our own shows, I have, I guess you’d say, a little bit older demographic. They like to listen to more traditional country music: Patsy [Cline], Loretta [Lynn], Tammy Wynette and Dolly [Parton]. I get really nervous whenever I’m opening for Taylor because I’m like, ‘These little kids are not going to like me.’ ●
- – Kellie Pickler underestimates her own poppishness.

When I was first presented with the tour, my first response was, ‘You don’t have enough police officers in the cities where we’re going.’ ●
- – Eric Church’s outlaw posturing is the gift that keeps on giving.

The little moments
When I ridicule my wife
That’s what I live for ●
- – Country Haiku on Brad Paisley.