As a busker, one thing that does not work is self-consciousness. A busker needs to be working. A busker needs to shed all ego and get down to work. Play your songs, play them well, earn your money, and don't get in people's way.

If you stand still in any city long enough, you see everyone pass you by. So you're in Chicago. If you stand on the corner of Belmont and Clark, and you do that for three years, you'll pretty much have seen everybody in Chicago pass that junction.

I only ever really take out my guitar when I'm miserable, which isn't necessarily a very good time to do it.

A song is like a saddle: you ride it for a while, and if it's the right kind of song you can sing it for the rest of your life.

I've realized, you know, having turned 40, that rest is just as important as work. In fact, it's equally as important.

I won't say I've closed the door on acting.

There are people who can sit down and write a song about any given subject, and they can do it really, really well.