I didn't have anybody, really, no foundation in life, so I had to make my own way. Always, from the start. I had to go out in the world and become strong, to discover my mission in life.

I don't want to be dragging myself on stage, year in year out, until someone else tells me it is time to go. There are certain birthdays that make you revalue your life

When my parents went off to Knoxville to work, I lived with my father's mother. She was strict - the kind who starched and ironed dresses. I had to sit more than I played. Oh, I was miserable. I liked being out with the animals. I'd come in the house with my hair pulled out, sash off the dress, dirty as heck. I was always getting spanked.

I believe that if you'll just stand up and go, life will open up for you.

There's been (if you sort of scan the magazines) announcements of different performers that has come and tried to get the British audience to go crazy, simply by them entering the stage because they had a hit record. It just doesn't happen. That happens in America.

I never had that thing about being black. If the whole world was like that, maybe there would be more harmony and love.

I don't want to act just to be on the screen doing anything and looking any kind of way.