Elvis Presley is my spiritual father, and as you may know Maria Callas is my spiritual mother.

It is a very personal thing to me, because this is my basic voice, this is where I come from, and it is one of the oldest voice styles in human history.

People are so nice to each other on holidays...especially at Christmas. Why don't people beat up each other at Christmas? Now that would be fun!

I feel threatened, and sometimes it makes me angry because I can't do anything about that, there's just too many issues. But in a way I think my work is meant to get people out of that.

The urge to sing was so strong one day I performed in a club and it was very successful.

People do accuse me of being just decorative or an escapist - well I am. That's what I do. I am other things as well. I transcend the song and give it a different meaning.

Sometimes I sing very honestly, really as moving as possible.