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

For a while we had trouble trying to get the sound of a champagne cork exploding out of the bottle. I solved the problem by sticking my finger in my mouth and popping it out.

My first appearance, the first time I try anything, invariably is not very successful. I tend to grow slowly, but solidly.

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

Dreams do come true, even for someone who couldn't speak English and never had a music lesson or much of an education.

I knew nothing of the life of a real musician, of course, but somehow I seemed to see myself standing in front of great crowds of people, playing my accordion.

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.