“For the first couple of records that I made I just tried to sing like ...” — Porter Wagoner Quote

“For the first couple of records that I made I just tried to sing like Hank Williams, you know, because I liked his things so much. But I realized early that you have to be your own person, and you can't be like someone else or pattern your career after them.”

“I just never had the desire to go beyond that - just to be a good country singer and a good country songwriter.”

“Dolly's first hit, 'Jolene,' became a country hit that crossed into the pop charts. The chance of this happening to an artist in today's media-consolidated world is slim to none.”

“I don't think you'd call me a traditionalist. But you can say I have an old soul, because I grew up listening to Conway Twitty and Hank Williams.”

“Hank Williams was my idol. He was the first real, wonderful outlaw individual in the business.”

“The true Hank III fans want me to be me.”