Music is about the only thing left that people don't fight over.

The fact of the matter is, you don't give up what's natural. Anything I've fantasized about, I've done.

I never wanted to be famous. I only wanted to be great.

Music is the chalk to the blackboard of life. Without it everything is a blank slate

The role of the designer is basically that of a good host, anticipating the needs of the guest.

Music's been around a long time, and there's going to be music long after Ray Charles is dead. I just want to make my mark, leave something musically good behind. If it's a big record, that's the frosting on the cake, but music's the main meal.

The words to country songs are very earthy like the blues. They're not as dressed up and the people are very honest and say, 'Look, I miss you darlin', so I went out and got drunk in this bar.' That's the way you say it. Where in Tin Pan Alley they would say, 'Oh I missed you darling, so I went to this restaurant and I sat down and had a dinner for one.' That's cleaned up now, you see? But country and blues tells it like it is.