I didn't have to be a pop singer with a certain look. When I started, there was really a revolution in natural artists with blues and folk artists crossing over; otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to get started.

In blues, classical and jazz, you get more revered with age.

There are so many people out there working with great grassroots and global and national organizations that are unsung heroes to me.

I like to think I get better with age, but maybe absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Elvis might have compromised his musical style a bit towards the end, but that doesn't mean that artists from the rock n' roll/folk-roots culture - of which he was not really a part - shouldn't get better as they get older, like the great jazz or blues artists.

I finally learned to accept that I can't make radio play blues any more than I could get Reagan out of the White House.

Finding great songs is the hard part of my gig - it's not as hard as songwriting, that's much more daunting - but I love playing other people's music.