“Don’t be ashamed to let your conscience be your guide.”

If you are serious, don’t play with my heart, it makes me furious.

I always loved Sam Cooke, because he seemed very versatile. He sang gospel, soul, blues, pop music

I feel it was just a few years ago I was running around in short pants

My friends and I were wild and we liked to joy-ride.

I’ve been in some beautiful places, but the prettiest sight is flying back to New Orleans. Being able to look down and say, ‘I know where I am now.’

I don’t know much, but I know I love you… that may be all there is to know.

So I went in front of the judge, and I had my St. Jude prayer book in my pocket and my St. Jude medal. And I’m standing there and that judge said I was found guilty, so he sentenced me to what the law prescribed: one to 14 years.

It’s a thanksgiving to God. It’s something I have wanted to do for a long time, but the record company wasn’t ready for it. So I did it myself.

I sing around the house, in the shower

When you were a kid, a day was a long time and a year was a long time

Sometimes I sing along in the car, if something good is playing like Marvin Gaye.

I really like listening to music in my car.

It’s a 360-degree sound experience. Like you’re in the middle of the band. A lot of people have the technology to play the format, so why not put it out there. It sounds great.

Until I went to rehab, I didn’t understand what it did.

I was raised Catholic, but my father’s people were Methodist, so we went to both churches.

My voice belongs to me, from God. People will comment, “Your voice helped me through.” Maybe it’s God in me, because I don’t take credit for that.