I have a tremendous desire to learn, and to grow, and to develop whatever I have that will make for any kind of improvement in me.

I have never been an innovator, a creative genius.

When my parents first arrived there, North Dakota had just been admitted to the Union, and the country was still wild and harsh.

Duke Ellington was famous for hs very original harmonic patterns.

I was so anxious to succeed that I made a practice of appearing on all the disc jockey shows I could, in order to publicize the band.

My accent remained terrible. It was very hard for me to initiate any conversation with someone I didn't know.

It's curious how we act in moments of personal despair.