Country is bringing in a little rock element... a little '80s element. Melody is king now. But its just in the music, its not so much in the songwriting, which is still very basic to the storytelling aspect of it.

It's quite interesting that in my growing up I had several influences. We had gospel music on campus. R&B music was, of course, the community, and radio was country music. So I can kind of see where all the influences came from.

I'm a songwriter, and people will tell you the greatest stories about their lives, whether you want to hear it or not.

Just when I think it couldn't get any bigger, 'Tuskegee' reaches a new level of success.

I don't think I'm going to be priest material.

Exactly when people are in turmoil is the time that the entertainment business has always been at its best. Because people don't want to be reminded every day that they are under siege, or that they're not having a great time of life.

I always like to challenge myself. I never want to be put into a box.