“Growing up, I was taught that a man has to defend his family. When the wolf is trying to get in, you gotta stand in the doorway.”

The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you.

We all have idols. Play like anyone you care about but try to be yourself while you’re doing so.

Hard times don’t necessarily mean being poor all the time. I’ve known people that was a part of a family and always feel that the family likes everybody else but them. That hurts and that’s as deep a hurt as you can possibly get.

The blues was bleeding the same blood as me.

Playing guitar is like telling the truth.

Albert King wasn’t my brother in blood, but he sure was my brother in Blues.

Being a blues singer is like being black two times.

I call myself a blues singer, but you ain’t never heard me call myself a blues guitar man.

Ladies, friends, and music – without those three, I wouldn’t wanna be here.

Kenny Burrell is overall the greatest guitarist in the world and he’s my favorite.

God made Blues right after he made woman.

I can’t afford no liquor, all I can buy is beer and wine.

Notes are expensive, spend them wisely.

I gave you seven children, but now you want to give them back.

I can’t think of anyone I’ve mistreated. I’ve always thought that I am my brother’s keeper. And I believe there’s a ‘great spirit’ that takes care of all of us.

I don’t do much recording anymore, but before I really stopped, I was glad to get five, five cent a record. That’s why when I see people today and they complain about what they get, and I picked cotton for $2.50 a day.