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.

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

A lot of political music to me can be rather pedantic and corny, and when it's done right - like Bruce Springsteen or Jackson Browne or great satire from Randy Newman, there's nothing better.

Maybe the idea of me is more powerful than I perceive myself being.

I made my first album, and I guess it wasn't a fluke, because now I'm on my 16th.

We did a two month tour with Taj Mahal that was really healing and cathartic and a good distraction after my brother passed away. Then I knew I wanted to take a year off, and it was really nice to have that chance to fall apart.

The challenge of course is in sobriety and that's been the blessing, to realize, to take accountability for the ways that your own thinking impacts your happiness, and your serenity, and your ability to be a productive and a loving, giving member of your family and society.