I learned G, C, and D
On a hand-me-down guitar
At 13 all my heroes
Were country music stars
When I played those songs for mama
Oh the smile it would bring
And lookin' back
That's when I feel in love
With this singin' thing
My first payin' gig
Was Uncle Jim's birthday bash
When I got through
They passed the hat
I made $18 cash
Who'd have thought they'd pay good money
For bendin' guitar strings
But it made me think that I might have a chance
At this singin' thing

And I'd do it all for nothin'
And I'd do it all again
It's who I wanna be
And it's who I've always been
Some folks may call me crazy
Just a fool out chasin' dreams
But in my heart, it's everything to me

When all my friends went off to college
I went to school in honkytonks
I got my degree in readin' crowds
And writin' country songs
Well, they say this road ain't easy
Lord, I know what they mean
But it's been worth all the dues I've had to pay
For this singin' thing

I'd do it all for nothin'
And I'd do it all again
It's who I want to be
And it's who I've always been
Some folks may call me crazy
Just a fool out chasin' dreams
But in my heart, it's everything to me

As I stand here on this stage
And play for you tonight
I know why I'm a lucky man
To live this kind of life
When those lights come up
And I hear those guitars ring
I tip my hat to each and every one of you
And I thank God that I get to do
This singin' thing

I learned G, C, and D
On a hand-me-down guitar
At thirteen all my heros
Were country music stars