It is still a surprise when people tell me that I've had an influence on them, particularly when it's someone I really respect.

Jazz and blues fests are everywhere now, and Americana is going strong on college radio. What I'm hearing is an appreciation of real music.

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

People come up to me all the time who saw Dad in 'Oklahoma!' or 'Pajama Game,' and they say they'll never forget it.

The great thing about the arts, and especially popular music, is that it really does cut across genres and races and classes.

When they were putting oil rigs up and down the California coast, the whole issue of safe energy and the addiction to fossil fuels really came into focus.

The consolidation of the music business has made it difficult to encourage styles like the blues, all of which deserve to be celebrated as part of our most treasured national resources.