I have to pinch myself sometimes. It's unbelievable, but it's not. Because I know that this would not be happening if it hadn't been for Dr. Martin Luther King.

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.

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.

There's still injustice happening in my world. I sing my songs at concerts and I'm so grateful that the people are ready to hear them.

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.

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