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

I wanted to be Jimi Hendrix's drummer when I was in high school, but I graduated in 1970, the year he died.

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

I think it's artist's role to give and to receive and the people to give it, hear it, vibe on it, and give it back around again.

White people couldn't do black music back in the day because they weren't funky or bad enough. They weren't from the ghettoes, but hip-hop and R&B changed all of that because white kids want to be down with it. They wanted to learn it so they studied the culture. It's kind of a cool thing because we shouldn't be so separate.

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.

I'm known for being a good listener. Most people need a lot of love and encouragement and I'm more than willing to give a person all the encouragement and time they need.