I'm old enough to be Obama's grandmom. But I still like seeing good-looking things. Nothing wrong with that.

I was not fortunate enough to run into Obama. We were at the same church per se, but I would never be there when he was there.

My voice is my gift. And Pops had me using it in the right way. I had many offers to sing pop, to sing rhythm and blues. Pops said "Mavis, this record company want to give you a million dollars." I said, "No daddy, I want to sing with the family." And I did. I never wanted to branch out by myself. But I've had to now. It's my mission. I've been left here to do it. And I'm grateful.

I started writing letters home to my mother, saying that I wanted to come home, grandma won't let me sing.

I'm singing these songs to inspire you, to keep you going, to lift you up and give you a reason to get up in the morning

I would get in fights a lot. My voice was so heavy, kids would say you sound like a boy, so I would start beating them up.

I have fun just about everywhere I go.