My parents split up when I was about 2. I realize more and more how much I'm like my father. My gentleness comes from my mother.

I love Motown, but I've obviously always been more of a Memphis soul fan. If it's Stax or Motown, I go Stax.

I didn't get into music to become a blues musician, or a country musician. I'm a singer-songwrit er. In my book that means I get to do whatever I want.

I grew up in a racially mixed neighborhood. So going over to friends' houses for dinner, their parents listened to Al Green and Luther Ingram. It was something that hit me early on, the feeling that came across.

Nashville's like any other hometown - after a while, it's stifling.

Finding clothes in the South was impossible.

I think a lot of men are afraid of pretty things, and I'm not, I like pretty songs.