I never sang for a Grammy, for money, for fame. That's my whole purpose for singing: for people, for the fans.

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 won't wear rings and jewelry on the stage because I don't want you looking at my hands. I want you hearing what I'm saying.

My uncle was 16, in junior high, and he heard me singing and snatched me off the stage. I thought he was happy and was going to pat me on the head and say I was good. But he took me home and told my grandmother this youngin' was at school singing the blues.

Well Lord, I'm still on the case. I'm still doing what Dr. King and Pops want me to do. I'm still on that freedom highway, and I'm going to walk on it until Dr. King's dream is realized.

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

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