KENNY CHESNEY

DESCRIBE YOUR ULTIMATE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE.

A behind-closed-doors jam session in Jamaica with Bob Marley and the original Wailers . . . the kind of jam session you record and 50 years later, they find it in a closet--and can't believe it really exists.

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD A SONG YOU WISH THAT YOU HAD WRITTEN?

Every day. Every time I listen to a Jackson Browne record.

WAS THERE A MOMENT WHEN YOU KNEW YOU HAD TO BE A COUNTRY MUSICIAN?

Really, this is just what I've always done. You don't decide you're going to be a musician instead of leading a normal life. You're called, and you go--and sometimes you just never go back.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL THING YOU DO BEFORE YOU PERFORM?

The Vibe Room . . . getting all the guys together. We crank up the music and shake off the day so we can remember why we're there.

IF YOU WEREN'T A SINGER, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE BEEN?

I can't imagine, but I'd like to think it would be something creative.

IF YOU COULD THANK GOD IN PERSON FOR ONE THING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

The power music has in people's lives. The idea that you can hear a song, and it tells you something about your life . . . or how you feel when you don't have the words. It lets you understand in a way I don't think anything else can.

WHAT MAKES COUNTRY MUSIC THE HEART AND SOUL OF AMERICA?

The fans.


MIRANDA LAMBERT

DESCRIBE YOUR ULTIMATE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE.

I'm getting to do the Ryman Auditorium, which is one of my dreams. I like to think of myself as one of the outlaws . . . I would love to do a performance in a women's prison. It would be so amazing to hear the prisoners' stories, having an artist come in that could relate to them through their music . . . I would have just some kick-ass chicks come and perform with me . . . Jessi Colter, Emmylou Harris, Gretchen Wilson.

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD A SONG YOU WISH THAT YOU HAD WRITTEN?

"The Way I Am," by Merle Haggard. "Red Dirt Girl," by Emmylou Harris.

WAS THERE A MOMENT WHEN YOU KNEW YOU HAD TO BE A COUNTRY MUSICIAN?

You know, I went to the Garth Brooks concert when I was 10 years old. I looked out at the crowd watching Garth, and I had tears rolling down my face, and something clicked; I was that overwhelmed. I knew that something would come out of that.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL THING YOU DO BEFORE YOU PERFORM?

I watch videos. I love watching live DVDs. I'm really into Elvis. I am just now falling in love with him. I turn to Beyonce, Tina Turner, artists that I love, to get inspired. I have a stage persona just like Beyonce.

IF YOU WEREN'T A SINGER, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE BEEN?

I have no other skills . . . hell, I might be in prison.

IF YOU COULD THANK GOD IN PERSON FOR ONE THING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

There are so many things that I want to thank Him for . . . He knows what they are.

WHAT MAKES COUNTRY MUSIC THE HEART AND SOUL OF AMERICA?

Country music tells the truth. Pure and simple. It may not always paint the prettiest picture when it deals with heartbreak, drinking, and cheating, but those are parts of real life. Country music is real.


JIM LAUDERDALE

DESCRIBE YOUR ULTIMATE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE.

At the Ryman Auditorium. I don't know who the accompanying musicians would be, 'cause I have so many musicians that I like, it would be a cacophony of music.

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD A SONG YOU WISH THAT YOU HAD WRITTEN?

"Hickory Wind," by Gram Parsons.

WAS THERE A MOMENT WHEN YOU KNEW YOU HAD TO BE A COUNTRY MUSICIAN?

I had been singing bluegrass music as a teenager, and when I heard George Jones, I knew I had to add country to my sound.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL THING YOU DO BEFORE YOU PERFORM?

I like to be able to sing and play the guitar to warm up, but sometimes there isn't enough time.

IF YOU WEREN'T A SINGER, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE BEEN?

A tai chi master.

IF YOU COULD THANK GOD IN PERSON FOR ONE THING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Life.

WHAT MAKES COUNTRY MUSIC THE HEART AND SOUL OF AMERICA?

Because it's honest and real and it does have heart and soul.


CHARLEY PRIDE

DESCRIBE YOUR ULTIMATE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE.

There are so many artists that I'd love to play with. It's kind of hard to answer. It's like when someone asks me which of my songs I like the best-- it's the one I am singing at the moment. The only thing I would really like is to have a performance where my mother, who passed a long time ago, could be part of it, for her to be sitting there and watching me perform.

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD A SONG YOU WISH THAT YOU HAD WRITTEN?

There are so many of them. "Help Me Make It Through the Night" is one. All of Kris Kristofferson's songs and all of Ben Peters's songs.

WAS THERE A MOMENT WHEN YOU KNEW YOU HAD TO BE A COUNTRY MUSICIAN?

My dream was to go to the major leagues as a baseball player and break all of the records by the time I was 35. Every kid has a dream, and that was mine. That was my plan. There wasn't one particular moment for music. I starting singing and performing, and little by little, it progressed. Whatever I do, I want to be the best at it.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL THING YOU DO BEFORE YOU PERFORM?

No.

IF YOU WEREN'T A SINGER, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE BEEN?

Since the baseball didn't work out, I think I would have done something in the entertainment field.

IF YOU COULD THANK GOD IN PERSON FOR ONE THING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Blessing me.

WHAT MAKES COUNTRY MUSIC THE HEART AND SOUL OF AMERICA?

With country music, you can find a song for any mood you are in or that fits any situation. It's the type of music that specializes in the lyrics, not the music around it.


CARRIE UNDERWOOD

DESCRIBE YOUR ULTIMATE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE.

Someday I would love to be a stadium performer. I have been a part of other artists' stadium shows, but so far, I have never had one of my own. I bet that's the best feeling in the world, to have that many people all there to see you! I would love to be like U2 or the Rolling Stones and be able to play to massive stadiums for the rest of my life!

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD A SONG YOU WISH THAT YOU HAD WRITTEN?

It's really hard to pick just one because there are so many melodies and genius lyrics. But if I had to give a general idea, I would pick something classical, something by Beethoven or Chopin that really shaped every form of music after it. Those were the composers of music-altering songs.

WAS THERE A MOMENT WHEN YOU KNEW YOU HAD TO BE A COUNTRY MUSICIAN?

Being a country music singer has been in my mind ever since I was a little girl singing in my mom's car. There was never a defining moment when I decided that this was the life I would lead . . . I'm much too practical for that kind of thinking. But I'm so grateful that I'm here now.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL THING YOU DO BEFORE YOU PERFORM?

My band members and I get together about 15 minutes before showtime to hang out. We always say a prayer before we walk onstage.

IF YOU WEREN'T A SINGER, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE BEEN?

I went to college to be a broadcast journalist. You might've seen me on the news.

IF YOU COULD THANK GOD IN PERSON FOR ONE THING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Someday, I plan to thank God for a lot of things. Mostly, I would thank Him for letting me be born into such a wonderful family in America. They are in every fiber of me and shaped my life so much. But I know I'll spend the rest of eternity thanking God for everything else!

WHAT MAKES COUNTRY MUSIC THE HEART AND SOUL OF AMERICA?

It's honest. Everyone can relate to it because country music is about life.


REBA MCENTIRE

DESCRIBE YOUR ULTIMATE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE.

Anywhere in America with my band.

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD A SONG YOU WISH THAT YOU HAD WRITTEN?

Yes: "The Weekend," "I Saw God Today," "I Hope You Dance," "Because of You," "He Stopped Loving Her Today"--just to name a few.

WAS THERE A MOMENT WHEN YOU KNEW YOU HAD TO BE A COUNTRY MUSICIAN?

No, but I always loved to sing. It's also where I got the most attention . . . the good kind, I mean.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL THING YOU DO BEFORE YOU PERFORM?

I warm up my voice with my vocal exercises, pinky up with my band and crew, and eagerly get on stage.

IF YOU WEREN'T A SINGER, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE BEEN?

I would have wanted to be in some part of the entertainment business-- actor, writer, director . . .

IF YOU COULD THANK GOD IN PERSON FOR ONE THING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

For loving me.

WHAT MAKES COUNTRY MUSIC THE HEART AND SOUL OF AMERICA?

It's music that you can relate to. Any song I sing, there is someone out there who thinks that song was written just for them.


HEIDI NEWFIELD

WAS THERE A MOMENT WHEN YOU KNEW YOU HAD TO BE A COUNTRY MUSICIAN?

I was 6 years old. First time on stage, I just walked up there and asked if I could sing with the band. Got the applause...and I was done for!

DESCRIBE YOUR ULTIMATE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE.

A packed Madison Square Garden with Bruce Springsteen, or Bonnie Raitt, or Tom Petty, or Willie Nelson.

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD A SONG YOU WISH THAT YOU HAD WRITTEN?

"I Can't Make You Love Me."

DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL THING YOU DO BEFORE YOU PERFORM?

I do vocal warmups with a few band members . . . run through a few songs . . . and say a little prayer. We all gather before we all hop onstage and high-five and wish each other a great show.

IF YOU WEREN'T A SINGER, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE BEEN?

I can't imagine not being a singer. But I would still be a songwriter . . . and maybe a photographer . . . or an equine vet!

IF YOU COULD THANK GOD IN PERSON FOR ONE THING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Love.

WHAT MAKES COUNTRY MUSIC THE HEART AND SOUL OF AMERICA?

The story behind the songs. It's the music of life, of real situations and relationships. A great country song hits me where I live.


RAY BENSON

DESCRIBE YOUR ULTIMATE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE.

I have already had and continue to have my ultimate musical performances with Willie. But there is one I haven't had. I have done duets with everyone except Tony Bennett, and I don't care where it happens, as long as it's just me and Tony.

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD A SONG YOU WISH THAT YOU HAD WRITTEN?

Hundreds. The one that comes to mind now is a Roger Miller song, "The Last Word in Lonesome Is Me."

WAS THERE A MOMENT WHEN YOU KNEW YOU HAD TO BE A COUNTRY MUSICIAN?

I started performing when I was 9, and we were professional by the time I was 11. I was discouraged when I started (which is what I do to young people who want to sing, by the way). The actual moment came to while I was standing on a New York City subway platform. It was 1969.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL THING YOU DO BEFORE YOU PERFORM?

I smoke pot.

IF YOU WEREN'T A SINGER, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE BEEN?

A director/writer, and when that failed, a chef.

IF YOU COULD THANK GOD IN PERSON FOR ONE THING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

For my two kids. That came out pretty good.

WHAT MAKES COUNTRY MUSIC THE HEART AND SOUL OF AMERICA?

Because it is purely American, and that's why I like it. But I don't like all country music.


JULIANNE HOUGH

DESCRIBE YOUR ULTIMATE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE.

There would be tons of lights, fog, and amazing dramatic sets. It would be a real theatrical production. I would love it to take place somewhere really grand, like Wembley Stadium in London.

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD A SONG YOU WISH THAT YOU HAD WRITTEN?

I wish that I had written a Christmas song or "The Star-Spangled Banner." A song that is really personal and everyone is familiar with.

WAS THERE A MOMENT WHEN YOU KNEW YOU HAD TO BE A COUNTRY MUSICIAN?

I've always loved country music! I grew up singing with my family, and when I moved to London to study singing and dancing, my mom would send me my favorite country CDs because there wasn't a lot of country music in London. I sang with my family a ton when I was younger, and some people would even call us the blonde Osmonds.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL THING YOU DO BEFORE YOU PERFORM?

I always warm up with the band, and we play a song of ours in a really heavy metal version. I eat Hot Tamales candies, which open up my throat, and then I have some Sour Patch Kids, because they are good!

IF YOU WEREN'T A SINGER, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE BEEN?

That's hard to answer because I couldn't imagine my life any other way. I've always wanted to be a performer and have known that for as long as I can remember. If I'm not singing, I love dancing and acting and feel so fortunate to be able to do all of those things already!

IF YOU COULD THANK GOD IN PERSON FOR ONE THING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I thank God for giving me an amazing family. I also think that I believe in myself because God believes in me. At times when I might not feel very confident, God (He or She) gives me to courage to pretend to feel confident.

WHAT MAKES COUNTRY MUSIC THE HEART AND SOUL OF AMERICA?

Everyone can relate to country music because of the stories it tells, no matter what their situation in life. The beauty is that one song might touch one person and one song might touch a ton of people.