Martina McBride says being a good mom is "being available when they need to talk and having them know that they can come to you with anything," she says. "Just being there for the little things, really being involved in their lives and letting them know that you are there for them."


Kenny Chesney explains that his mom has been through a lot in her life and has come through it all with grace. "One of the most important lessons that I've learned from my mom is no matter what life throws at you, take a step back and a deep breath and just still take life as it comes," the singer says. "She has taught me a lot directly and indirectly and I thank God that I got my love of life from her."


Holly Williams says her favorite Mother's Day story happened the year she was too broke to buy a gift for her mom. "That was the year I wrote 'Mama,' my thank-you song to her. She was always so respectful of my dad when they split, so this song just says thank you to her for always being in a good mood and letting that positive spirit fill the house." Holly's mom, Becky, says it was the best gift she's ever received." ('Mama' will be released to radio on Monday.)

Jake Owen might have the best reason of all to honor his mom. He explains that she still keeps him out of trouble. "If she comes to a show, I may say something on stage and she says, 'I don't know if you should say that anymore on stage; it kind of puts you in a bad light, and I didn't raise you to be that kind of boy.' And she's right! Thankfully I have a mom there to correct me."

Miranda Lambert says her mom is a riot and a party animal, two traits that she inherited while she was growing up. "She loves to be on the road with me; she probably comes out once a month," Miranda says. She adds that her mom gives her good relationship advice: "She's probably where I get a lot of my opinionated side of me, because she'll say if I'm wrong. If I'm in a fight with my boyfriend or whatever, she'll be like, 'Well, you're the one that's wrong this time.' And she doesn't sugar-coat anything."

Ryder Lee of The Lost Trailers says his mother contributed to his love of music. "My mother was always singing, always making up and singing songs when we were kids," he says. "She gave me that and also a little bit of a sense of humor. She's got a great sense of humor."

Lee's bandmates, brothers Stokes and Andrew Nielson, also owe their love of music to their mother. "My mother was a kindergarten piano music teacher. So my earliest memories of school was with my mom teaching my whole class music in kindergarten," Stokes says. "And just from the get-go, I connected music with a very warm feeling, a creative feeling. And I always tell my mom she ruined us when she started doing kindergarten music, because we were hooked on it!"

Sara Evans gives her mother credit when it comes to her outlook on life. "My mom instilled in me a sense of humor and a low-key approach to life. All she wanted was a farmhouse, lots of kids and a very simple life," Sara recalls. "She was always happy. She would dance for us in the kitchen while she was cooking, and so I really got that from her -- just provide a happy atmosphere in the home."

Taylor Swift counts her mom as her best friend. "The coolest thing about my mom is she's always been so real with me and honest no matter what," she tells The Boot. "Even when I was preteen, that's when I needed her the most. That's usually when people are [at the] too-cool-for-their-parents stage. Well, I was really not cool enough for anyone but my parents in that phase. I had no friends! My mom was the one person that I could turn to and who never, ever, hurt me."


Rodney Atkins, who was adopted, says Mother's Day is very special for him. "I have the sweetest and the greatest mom in the world," he says. "She is the kindest person I've ever met and I'm so fortunate to have her in my life. I love her very much."




Jeff Cook of Alabama plans to honor his mother and mother-in-law with a cookout at Guntersville Lake in Alabama. "My brother is picking up my mom Betty Sue and coming to the lake, and my mother-in-law Joann Williams and her family are coming up. I'll cook steaks for everyone and then we'll get out on the boat and cruise around on the lake."