Seven quotes from the Academy of Country Music Awards

By John Katsilometes

Wednesday, April 4, 2012 | 5:06 p.m.

“I usually don’t get this pretty at 3 o’clock.” –Larry Gatlin, clad in a black suit and pearl-white tie, walking the red carpet.

“We stand in our own shadow. That’s what gets us up, every day: How to be a better KISS than we’ve ever been.” -KISS vocalist Paul Stanley. The band announced Best Vocal Group award recipient Lady Antebellum.

“My albums are like my children. They are what I live for.” –Miranda Lambert

“Nice scarf. I see what you’re doing. That’s good.” –Entertainer of the Year-winner Taylor Swift, to a country music writer who said he wore a scarf to the show in honor of Lionel Richie’s appearance.

“As long as I’m playing and people are showing up, that’s cool. As long as my songs are being played on the radio, I’m fine.” –Jason Aldean

“Being on The Voice has definitely changed the way I view my position in this business. It’s easy to take it for granted sometimes, and when you get run-down and tired and start bitching, you think, ‘How many other people would love to have the success I’ve had?’ It’s humbling.” –Blake Shelton

“We’re out. Adam and I are out now.” –Blake Shelton, on his inferred “bromance” with Adam Levine of Maroon 5, his co-judge on The Voice. The two appear together on the cover of the April 1 issue of People.