Guitar gigs were everywhere in the '50s, and I started diddling around so I could keep working. Playing honky-tonk, simple stuff. I took a few gigs with an organ band that put me out front.

Love songs are one of the great essences of life, the only thing thats lasting.

You might not feel like playing pretty all the time. Instead, you might want to play something nasty....you might want to play something out of context with the tune. It might be a note that creates so much tension it becomes unpleasant, but you want it to sound that way.

The first time I tried to sing along with my guitar, everybody in the studio booed. They all said it wouldn't work.

The melody is the most important thing that must stay in the minds of the people who listen to you. No matter how many notes you play, you can't let them forget what the song is.

I have been doing music all my life so everyday when I get up I expect music will be part of it.

I spent a lot of time teaching myself theory and harmony so I could be free to express myself on the instrument.