The blues are what I've turned to, what has given me inspiration and relief in all the trials of my life.

My identity shifted when I got into recovery. That's who I am now, and it actually gives me greater pleasure to have that identity than to be a musician or anything else, because it keeps me in a manageable size. When I'm down on the ground with my disease-which I'm happy to have-it gets me in tune. It gives me a spiritual anchor. Don't ask me to explain.

I grew up playing in clubs - that's my spiritual stomping ground.

The first guitar I ever had was a gut-string Spanish guitar, and I couldn't really get the hang of it. I was only 13, and I talked my grandparents into buying it for me. I tried and tried and tried, but got nowhere with it.

It's been very important throughout my career that I've met all the guys I've copied, because at each stage they've said, 'Don't play like me, play like you.'

All along this path I tread, my heart betrays my weary head, with nothing but my love to save, from the cradle to the grave.

Risk is trying to control something you are powerless over.