“I think things happened the way they did for a reason”

When I record something, I’ll take a drive and just listen

The extras are a nice bonus feature, but the main incentive is the musical experience.

I was very surprised when I heard that I had been chosen to receive the James Cardinal Gibbons Award.

If you want something to play with go find yourself a toy, baby, my time is too expensive and I’m not a little boy.

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.

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

I find it quite easy to play chords, and, you know, that was all I ever did. I never wanted to be a lead guitarist.

I used to pray that God would make me a great athlete, and He never did.

A somebody was once a nobody who wanted to and did.

Get up tomorrow early in the morning, and earlier than you did today, and do the best that you can.

I know who I am. I don’t have to brag. I know what I contributed. I know what I did.

My mom sold real estate and did it part time.

But all of these knew very well what they did not want, and what they did not want was the current coin, the well-worn usage.

If you decide you want to change your life around, it doesn’t matter where you came from, what you did.