I was told by my grandfather who was a minister that we all were put here on earth to be of service to one another, and it is quite gratifying to know that if I am able to be of help to one that is not able to help themselves then I am fulfilling my obligation as a human being.

I love what I do. I was given the most incredible gift that can be given to anyone. I could never imagine a world without music, and I feel grateful that I've been given the ability to share that.

We are all here to be a service to those who can't be a service to themselves. We can give people hope and more reasons for being human.

I like Brazilians and I like their values. They believe in family.

Country music is so related to gospel. It seems I could go down that road pretty easily.

I look at the careers of people I'm standing on the shoulders of. People like Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr., and Sarah Vaughan. These are icons I wanted to emulate, and I feel like they've been holding me up for quite a long time.

I have no desire to look back, I only want to look forward to the things that are still ahead of me.