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.

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

There is a great feeling in a small venue, with the closeness of the people and the intimacy.

I just had a wonderful life, and I couldn't ask for anything else.

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

We stay strong. We stay positive, keep our heads up, love one another, spread love. The Devil can't win when you have God on your side.

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.