I think if the United States gave anything to culture at large in the 20th century, the most important contribution made was the popular song.

American radio from the '30s through the '60s was just fabulous. There was such a diversity.

People don't realize that by voting Republican, they voted against themselves....I worry that some people are entertained by the idea of this war. They don't know anything about the Iraqis, but they're angry and frustrated in their own lives. It's like Germany, before Hitler took over. The economy was bad and people felt kicked around. They looked for a scapegoat. Now we've got a new bunch of Hitlers.

When the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby, it helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky.

Music is a work in progress. On a record, it gets frozen in time. And it's oddly unnatural.

Music should be an elective experience. You should go, "I'm going to sit down and listen to some Beethoven, by God," and then you get to hear it.

There should not be a question of legal or illegal immigration. People came and immigrated to this country from the time of the Indians. No ones illegal. They should just be able to come.