In an abusive relationship - we'll talk about men and women - women are often restrained, by words or out of fear, from leaving. They will tolerate abuse up to and including being put to death.

I've never been the type of singer that can sing in heels and the gown and all this stuff, because I can't get to where I want to go while I'm in that getup.

Hey, maybe I can sing locally and earn a couple of bucks.

When my husband gives me this ultimatum, "You either stop singing, or you move out," then it became very clear that what I needed to do - not just because I wanted to sing, but because I didn't want to live with anybody who issued ultimatums to me like that - would be to move out.

I just love music. I love all kinds of music, and I was exposed to it, me and my siblings, from the time we were in utero.

I often compare singing to lovemaking because there's so many similarities.

It's kind of condoned in our society: There are things that an abusive mate could get away with with their partner that they could not with a stranger.