I'm a firm believer that you learn a hell of a lot more from your failures than you do from your successes.

When you are sitting in a room and somebody does something or says something and a thought comes, an idea or a melody - you have to just grab it while it's there because it will go away.

My family was into music. My dad was into music down south. My mom and grandmother were into gospel music so there were all types. That was my inspiration.

Just immerse yourself in the culture of the music - it will open some doors for you.

Don't try to be someone else. Be yourself.

Nowadays it's hard to get somebody to invest the time - everybody wants to be famous rather than be a good musician.

I like to say that I had a really good musical education because it was inclusive of all styles of music and I like it like that.