Every night is different, you never know what it's going to be like. I remember every night. I don't like to compare them.

I mean, there are only so many notes. What makes something original is how you put it together.

I was an actor when I was a teenager and it could have been the direction that I headed in. But music and my relationship with music is quite deep, and it really is the nucleus of my creativity. So I gave up acting so I could pursue music fully, and I never thought about really going back. And then [director] Lee Daniels met me and wanted to work with me, and that's how it started.

I started out making furniture because I couldn't find certain things, and then I really got into it.

I'm really happy about American Woman, it brought the Guess Who back. They started gigging again and got their song out on commercials.

What motivates it is life. Life is everything. Life influences my music and brings it forth. Life is always changing, so I'm always hearing new music.

I don't play the tuba.