I grew up in a very racially integrated place called Pottstown. It was an agricultural / industrial town which has since become a suburb of Philadelphia. I grew up basically in a black neighborhood.

Nobody's going to sell 10 million records by not working hard.

I definitely dislike pomposity and artifice. I hope that I'm not that. Once I write a song, it belongs to the world, and the way people perceive it, it's cool.

I love antique architecture, so if I have any indulgences, I have owned and renovated and reconstructed a lot of old houses.

I was very inspired by my mother. She was a vocal teacher and sang in a band, and my first memories of her were going out with her on the local circuit.

What I do isn't black music, it's just my music.

I have to say I have never been comfortable with somebody else telling me what to do - in any way.