CARLENE CARTER

I've had a few ditty hits.

There was a period where I was a little scared that I'd blown my chance.

I don't know how I got out of some of the scrapes I was in. But I know that there's some sort of plan.

There's something unnatural about losing a sibling when they're young.

Lots of girls marry at 16 in Tennessee.

When I'm on stage, I know exactly where I am. It's not an ego thing or anything like that, but I am more in my body and aware of myself and aware of what I'm doing, and I feel more from that, from sharing the music.

Music should be judged on what you hear, not what you think you might hear.

I think, looking back, there was a lot of fear of success in me. When you are successful, you have to keep it up... it requires you to be responsible, and I had been pretty irresponsible.

I moved back to Tennessee in '86 or '87. That's when I worked with the Carter Family because I really wanted to understand my roots.

Grandma and Mama showed me that you always have to give as much as you can, no matter what.

Don't try to be like somebody else. You'll be miserable. You need to be yourself, and don't ever get a big head.

Whenever I get to a point I'm so tired that I forgot the verse of a song, I know I'm burnt out.

I've matured as a writer and human being. I've got some wisdom under my belt.

When I first came out, country wouldn't touch me because I was way too rock, and rock wouldn't touch me because I was definitely country.

I started playing piano when I was 6, ukulele at 7.

I was always in a big hurry to do everything. Before I was 20, I was married twice and had two kids. But I don't regret any of it. I learned a lot about myself. I had a lot to say for someone my age, real early on.

I've always been one of those people - once I start something, I have to get it all out, because it gets me.

You can have a big hit and not get rich.

A lot of people said I was a rebel. I wasn't.

One good thing is I was instilled with really good values. My mom treats everyone the same.

Musically, I always wanted to experiment.

I've always wanted to make records that rock like hell. But also, I've never wanted to compromise that Country place deep inside.

I can laugh and cry at the drop of a freakin' hat - all at the same time.

I like things all shined up and rocking with hooky pop choruses.

Everyone deals with loss. I'm no different, but we all find our ways of coming through things. Is it tough? Of course, but you find the strength to push on through.