"After Momma gave birth to twelve of us kids, we put her up on a pedestal. It was mostly to keep Daddy away from her."

"I always loved books. I don't remember learning to read, it was just something I always did. I was hungry for knowledge, I guess, and information; I was a curious kid. I still am."

"I remain totally convinced that if we can do one more simple thing to help kids and adults to learn more, it is to inspire them to read more."

"People like bluegrass. It's had a following amongst a lot of hip and young people. A lot of college kids like bluegrass."

"I was born in an odd spot and was a very sensitive kid. My feelings could get hurt so easily because I always wanted to be loved, I wanted to be touched, I wanted to touch somebody. I wanted everybody to love me, so I think I was louder than I should have been. I was just trying to get attention. I always felt like I was somebody special, maybe it's because I needed to be somebody special."

"I love thinking, I love coming up with great ideas. I just get excited. Sometimes if I get a big idea, I'm just like a kid, like I've found a new toy."