Perfectionism is really a challenge for me, and it causes me to be super-critical of myself in so many ways: about body image constantly; about parenting; about being a mother.Collection: Parenting
If someone is genuine, compassionate and kind, that is a turn-on. A sense of humor is a huge turn on, and that goes hand in hand with intelligence.Collection: Intelligence
Fans talk to me about how 'Country Christmas' has become a holiday tradition for them and that they all watch to start their holiday season. To be a part of people's holiday traditions is a real joy.Collection: Christmas
People tattoo for different reasons. I use a tattoo as a marker of time, to be reminded of a time in my life. It is something special and personal.
If I go way back to Loretta Lynn, I always cite her as being able to capture what I think is every woman's story... she very openly used her art as an expression of what she was going through in her life. So that authenticity is something I admire.
If you don't like me, don't turn your television on at the holidays, because you won't be able to escape.
I definitely think that, for a woman, the biggest turn-on is the mind. Otherwise, obviously you want someone who keeps up with himself and has self-respect and self-confidence.
When we were at the CMT Awards this year, Robert Plant was there. What an icon, I love him... But I can't go up and speak to him, because I don't want to seem like a goob.
My outfits also need to be low-key. I'm a huge fan of boots, sandals, jeans and tank tops! Anything I can move in easily.
I have this thing for British women. I love Judi Dench. I love Helen Mirren. I love these women, and I definitely do have big girl crushes on them.
Theater is definitely something that, through the course of my childhood and even in college, I enjoyed participating in. I would love to do theater, or as far as movies or television goes, if the right thing came along I would definitely entertain it.
I've actually performed at Gay Pride in Atlanta three times in my career. I've always had a large gay following, particularly in the lesbian community. I am grateful for that. To me, it means my music transcends categories. It also means that I'm a cute girl singing a rock song in an alto voice!
I had a friend write me that our music was being played at Gay Pride in New York, which is a big compliment. In the biggest city in the country with the most culture and the most grit - I love it.
The Grammy is the highest honor in music that we can receive, outside of having fans come and watch you every night and clap.
For my whole career, I've been a singer-slash-songwriter, even though I'm very thankfully known for my voice. Songwriting has always been a joy in my life, and to be recognized for it is extremely validating.
I feel very grateful that I have never had to be or ever chosen to be or accidentally found myself to be in the space of the other woman.
We many times sell ourselves short, not only in relationships but throughout our own lives. Hopefully, we come around at some point and realize our own value.
As with most physical activity, yoga helps boost your immune system. However, it also stretches and strengthens your body simultaneously, while also balancing your mind and spirit. It benefits the whole human.
Putting myself out there knowing I can be criticized - it's ironic, but to me, that's the most empowering thing.
Having spent time on the Broadway stage definitely helps one's confidence in terms of feeling just validated in that world. Most people only know my voice as a country artist.
The fun thing about 'Chicago' is that there's so much dance and, very specifically, Roxie. So you might see a little bit of Roxie on the Sugarland stage. Who knows.
The whole impetus behind going solo was an artistic inspiration in the sense that, obviously, success is fantastic. But as one becomes successful and gets branded with a certain sound, if the brand starts to become more of the focus than the evolution of the art, then that's putting the cart before the horse.
You can't un-have an experience. You can deny the experience; you can process it and try to get through it, but you can't change the fact that it happened to you.
I applaud women, and I did my best and took my time after having a kid - in a healthy way, get back to a place where I felt good in my body.
I think art, more than anything else, helps humans to synthesize emotion and to synthesize parts of ourselves, so therefore, as an artist, I feel a responsibility to try and facilitate that synthesis.
I think that we are so challenged as women to be everything and do everything and make it look easy.
It's important to have an examined life - but it's a fine line between having an examined life and being hypercritical of oneself. There has to be balance in there somewhere.
I have musical ADD or something, and I get bored doing the same thing over and over. I love different sounds, different influences.
I feel simultaneously completely vulnerable and made wholly brave by becoming a parent. It has changed the way that I live my life. Because I want to be an example for my son.
Don’t ever sell yourself short. Stand tall. Never be ashamed of who you are. You are beautiful, you are loved. You are needed. You are worth it. Promise me you won’t forget that. Promise me you won’t let your scars define who you are. Let your trials shape you. Let your victories humble you.Collection: Beautiful
Salt water is cleansing, be it sweat, the ocean, or tears.Collection: Ocean
If you are brave enough to be yourself, I think that is a huge risk and should be applauded.Collection: Being Yourself
Well, obviously, I'm not allowed to speak about the legal battles, but I love lesbians.Collection: Battle
I believe that happiness is something we createCollection: Believe
You just kind of go and do your own thing. Sometimes it's really hard to compare apples and oranges, so you don't really think of it that way. You just perform to your fullest potential and hope everybody else does too. And however it works out, it works out.Collection: Thinking