When I was 17 - 16, my father and I cut wood all day long and I was swinging that crosscut saw and hauling wood.

Help me, Jesus. I know what I am.

That was the big thing when I was growing up, singing on the radio. The extent of my dream was to sing on the radio station in Memphis. Even when I got out of the Air Force in 1954, I came right back to Memphis and started knocking on doors at the radio station.

I expect my life to end pretty soon. You know, I'm 71 years old. I have great faith, though. I have unshakable faith.

My daddy left home when I was three and he didn't leave much to Ma and me, just this old guitar and an empty bottle of booze.

I'm thankful for the sea breeze that feels so good right now, and the scent of jasmine when the sun starts going down.

I worked there [on Pontiac] three weeks, got really sick of it, went back home and joined the Air Force.