a friend took me to nashville and then i had a polygram contract.is: this is like people who have never been to a nascar race. as one who's done it, what is the thrill? >> this is dangerous and exciting. i had a timed event. you are running full blast and making three turns, and starting and stopping in a dark alleyway. it is exciting and i didn't win much and didn't make money. thank god i could sing. tavis: you mentioned your big break. before that, i am sure you know, before you went back and sang, when did you know that you were gifted? >> the way i knew is because when -- i was the third child. i wasn't the oldest or youngest or the boy, i was the third kid. so you did stupid things to get attention. singing got me attention. i knew it was special. tavis: what do you make then, these 33 albums later, of being the biggest female country western star ever? >> i kind of like it. [laughter] who wouldn't? good lord. we have been here a long time. we have worked real hard and traveled all over the world. tavis: what does your father make of your succ