Whether it's a letter, song lyrics, part of a novel, or instructions on how to fix a kitchen sink, it's writing. You keep your craft honed, you acquire the discipline to finish things. You turn into a self-taskmaster.

Mother Mother Ocean, I have heard your call.

And you find as a writer there are certain spots on the planet where you write better than others, and I believe in that. And New Orleans is one of them.

I arm myself with punch lines and a big old water gun.

Elvis was the only man from Northeast Mississippi who could shake his hips and still be loved by rednecks, cops, and hippies.

It takes just as little time to see the positive side of life as it does the negative side.

At 57, to have a No. 1 album, I wasn't expecting it.