I just want to play for the people, give my new sound to them, and encourage them and be encouraged by people.

What Whitney Houston has accomplished will never be accomplished. She's the most famous person on the planet as far as vocaling and her songs. So I'm very happy that I can sit here and say I had a chance to know her. And I'm still dazed that she's gone. But she lives because her music is so powerful.

A lot of artists don't like the sound of their voice. They're put off by it.

I've known the glory of the stage and the glory of the spotlight. I still crave it. I want to be on 'American Bandstand' and 'Soul Train' as a solo artist. As a producer, songwriter and arranger, I help other artists say what they want to say. But on my records, I say what I want to say.

Rock was always part of my heart and soul. But the times just changed and everybody wanted to dance.

I take jobs with people I admire, people with incredible talent who aren't necessarily big sellers.

I feel like before I came to the planet I asked God for the gift of music. I didn't want to come here without the gift of music and God granted it to me.