By 1969, when I celebrated 45 years in the music business, I also had 45 people in our musical family.

Music was my joy, my home, the one place I felt happy and secure.

Conversation didn't seem necessary when I put the accordion down and swung some young lady around the floor.

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

To be granted some kind of usable talent and to be able to use it to the fullest extent of which you are capable - this, to me, is a kind of joy that is almost unequaled.

I expected to be a farmer like my father and brothers. Life seemed pleasant and orderly.

I like clean ladies and nice ladies.