The singer’s 43rd(!)
What made you want to hit the road?
We didnt have a full band or a big productionit was just four of us on stage.
Credit: Rick Diamond/Getty Images
Everyone seemed to love it.
They said, Why dont you do your whole tour like that?
I said, Okay!
You also have a new album of love songs titledPure & Simple.
My husband [Carl Dean] and I have been married for 50 years.
A lot of the songs we did with pure and simple instrumentation, too.
The guitars, fiddles, and banjos reminded me of my early career.
On the new track Im Sixteen, you sing, Youre never old unless you to choose to be.
Five decades into your career, that must be a personal motto for you.
I have a good attitude, even when I go through hard times just like everyone else.
You dont have to have a sick attitude even if you have health problems.
Your attitude doesnt have to grow old.
We dont know how many days were going to have in this world.
That song is one of my very favorites on the album.
Im hoping if other people like it we get the chance to do a video.
Im Sixteen also has lyrics about midnight skinny-dipping.
Is that a secret to your 50-year marriage?
Well, it didnt hurt!
Weve always tried to stay active.
Weve always had fun like that.
We both feel like were not old.
We look at the numbers like, Oh my God, that cant be us!
We cant be this age!
Is it challenging to find new ways to talk about the subject?
Even though Im married it doesnt mean Im dead or blind.
Im a romantic, passionate person.
Shed just be so heartbroken thinking she was never going to find true love.
They act so stupid, just like theyre 16 years old.
Its the cutest thing Ive ever seen.
We dont have the big band, but [the fans] dont seem to miss it.
I mostly just tell the stories.
Its more about the song, about being able to sing along.
I prefer it too.
Ive enjoyed not having to sing over the top of everything else.
Youre known for your glamorous look and flashy outfits.
Have you been scaling those back for your tour as well?
I have a joke on stage about why we dont have a full band.
I couldnt sing a lick without my rhinestones on!
But seriously, I like dressing up because Im a showgirl.
People dont want to just see me out there being plain.
They expect me to be flashy.
On the track Head Over High Heels, you talk about doing your makeup like Adele.
Are you a fan?
We both admire each other and talk about each other in interviews.
I would love to write with her.
I could ride on her famous coattails!
Earlier this year, Loretta Lynn saidcountry music has become too pop.
What do you make of the genre today?
I think its great people have embraced country music.
Its really grown, it changes its colors.
You have to keep up with the times to keep the flow going.
You just cant be pure country and expect to be in that crossover world.
But I still believe theres always going to be people like me and Loretta.
Young folks like Miranda Lambert…I think she makes really great records that have a great attitude.
Youve talked before about recording a dance album for your LGBT fans.
Are there other genres on your to-do list?
I definitely want to do this dance album.
Ive been promising that for years.
I have several original pieces already done and could even remix some of my hits for that, too.
And Id like to do a great blues albuma white-trash blues album.
Your 1973 song Jolene has been covered by everyone from Ellie Goulding to the White Stripes.
Do you have a favorite version?
I like em all!
I love that Keith Urban does it on stage, just him and the guitar.
Jack White with the White Stripes, I love their version of that.
But Miley [Cyrus]?
I like it always when anybody does my song.
Im honored that people respect my writing because that means more to me than anything.
I love being able to sing too, but thats what Id love to do most.
