I learned a lot about what it was like to have to use different hotels and not use the bathrooms, which made me more determined to be an activist.

Thank God for Occupy and thank God for 'The Daily Show,' Colbert and the rising up that's going on around the world.

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.

I don't want to discredit people's opinions of me, but you talk about the violin or the cello or lead guitar where you have to learn tons of chords, that's much more difficult.

It's so thrilling. And not just the music. The Internet is changing the future of fund-raising. I'm thrilled by the potential.

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

Im happy to say that at 62, I think Ive reached that point where stuff doesnt bother me as much, and my gratitude level has gone way up, especially having gone through the loss that Ive had, and losing so many of the great artists that I was close to. They taught me how to see it with a grain of salt and a lot of humor and perspective.