Miranda Lambert Says Husband Blake Shelton Pulls Her Out of "Darkness"

On her chosen career: "When I first started playing bars in Texas, my parents had to come so I could get in. I didn't have any other plans. I didn't go to college. There was no 'If this doesn't work out. . . .' It was like, 'This has to work out!' When I walk into a bar and smell old beer and cigarettes, it smells like home, because that's where I grew up."

On lightening up psychologically: "I'm always anxious. I will worry myself into oblivion. I was trying to make everything regimented, and it caused too much stress. I learned everything doesn't have to be perfect. That sometimes it's OK to say, 'I don't want to be the boss today. I have PMS. Bother someone else.' I like things better flawed anyway."