“I grew up in the Shoals and never left. Most people have to go and sow their oats and see the world to realize what an amazing place this is, but I did that through touring. It made me appreciate what we have at home — the food, culture, fashion, arts and people. There are all walks of life in our tiny community and it is a strange anomaly and melting pot. We take it for granted, but the more I travel, the more I appreciate how special it is. Being from Alabama is such a huge part of who we are that it is hard to separate the two. Sometimes people apologize for where they are from, but I wasn’t raised that way.

I disappeared from music for a few years to spend time with my family. I had a “Keep Out” sign and it was terrifying to take it down. I took it away a little at a time with lots of baby steps.

I got cynical at some point when the crowds kept getting bigger and I got more detached. I couldn’t go out and meet everyone because there were 2,000 or more people and I started drifting from the people buying tickets and albums. It is tough to make it in the music business because people don’t buy records the way they used to. Getting out again helped me understand that people still care about music in this download culture. It renewed my faith in mankind and the crowds rejuvenated me.

I can’t preach from a soapbox and tell anyone they should do things the way I did them. To get here I went through a lot of good and bad. That is what experience is and getting older and realizing what doesn’t matter. I know lots of things not to do. That is the only wisdom I have.”

(Photo by MCSpixs – Michelle C.Stancil Photography)