It's a matriarchal family, the Carters. A.P. was the original head of the Carter family, but the women were always strong. There were no questions asked in that regard; you had better be strong.

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.

My mother has always been open about all kinds of music and entertainment. She wanted us to see that it was not just country music and the Grand Ole Opry.

I just know what I want, and I'm willing to butt heads with folks to get it.

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

Working with Mellencamp, I made new fans, people that may have never heard of me. They may have heard I was related to the Carter Family or Johnny Cash somehow, but what they got was pure Carlene.

I challenged myself to carry on the style of guitar that my grandmother did: the Carter scratch.

I've always been one to throw caution to the wind, and my motto has been, 'Never have a dull moment.' Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't, but I don't think I'd have it much differently.

I fly from the seat of my pants, basically.

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.

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

I always knew I would make the record that I made in 'Carter Girl.'

I always have to just be myself. Anything else, I'm not happy, and it comes out musically.

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.

Musically, I always wanted to experiment.

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

It's all for a reason and all happened the way it was supposed to happen.

I don't have any regrets at all.

I believe everything falls into place as it's supposed to.

MusiCares was really good to me. I can't say enough how MusiCares helps other people. They really, really helped me. They have the greatest groups and support for musicians in recovery.

I like to do one thing at a time and do it to the best of my ability.

I have great stories. I am going to write a book.

I'd had three husbands by 23. The second was a songwriter who couldn't handle the fact the little lady was doing better than him.

I'm a bubbling brew of emotions, but mostly, I'm an optimistic person.