Gabby Barrett

I was raised listening to so many wonderful females with great music.

Country radio has been extremely good to me, which I am extremely grateful for and and means a bunch. But there is room for many other people.

Something a lot of people don't know about me is I sucked my thumb until I was in like eighth grade. It's cause, when I was a baby, I sucked my thumb and I guess my mom and dad never weaned me off of that, because they thought it was cute. And then it's like an addiction. That's your security blanket.

Being a female, I know what it's like to go through a bad break up and not get to say what you really want to.

The judges have been so supportive and amazing even after 'Idol.'

Just stick to what you feel you sing best at, no matter what it is.

Things that are like overnight success things don't last long, and that's not something I wanted.

I wanted to put in the time and the work, because eventually it pays off in a good way.

If you're going to compare me to somebody and it's going to be Carrie Underwood, I will absolutely take that as a compliment.

Actually, zero labels were jumping toward me, and I couldn't get to anybody. Nobody was paying any attention. And I was like, 'OK, I'm going to put my nose to the ground and really work on writing and creating some good songs that people could gravitate to.'

I was a terrible writer at first.

I really respected women that could sing their tails off and entertain really well, so I wanted to get that across before I brought any of my own music into it.

I always wanted a girl growing up, as well as a boy, so to have a girl first is just really exciting.

Be in Nashville if you want to be in country music, because everybody that can help you is here.

I think 'American Idol' has prepared me for anything.

It was actually really hard to get a record deal after 'American Idol.'

My dad is my rock. Every single penny he earns goes into my dream.

I wasn't born with nerves. You have to take yourself out of the equation and think about everyone else - you're the entertainer.

I've always tried from a very young age to be positive.

Nobody has done Mariah Carey whistle-tone notes in country music that I've heard of, and if you're capable of doing it, you might as well add it in.