More important than talent, strength, or knowledge is the ability to laugh at yourself and enjoy the pursuit of your dreams.
It's true. I'm a simple person. Some people tend to live from trauma to trauma, and that energizes them. I have a hectic schedule, but my mind seeks simplicity - like being in nature, a long bike ride, or sitting on the back porch.
Without black, no color has any depth. But if you mix black with everything, suddenly there's shadow - no, not just shadow, but fullness. You've got to be willing to mix black into your palette if you want to create something that's real.
For me, the backdrop of half the experiences of life includes music.
experience life music
If a politician isn't doing it to his wife, then he's doing it to his country.
Every good relationship, especially marriage, is based on respect. If it's not based on respect, nothing that appears to be good will last very long.
marriage
To me, the human experience does involve a great deal of anguish. It's joyful, but it's bittersweet. I just think that's life.
We did a show in San Antonio that was really amazing. The military helped us do a satellite to Baghdad where during intermission we had eight families seated in the front row and one by one they were able to communicate with their loved ones using the cameras to see each other. It was so emotional and nobody moved even though it was the intermission.
The fact of the matter is, when I'm on tour, I'm juggling so hard to keep all the balls in the air that I don't often get to really enjoy what I'm out there doing.
The hard times are several years behind me now. This is probably the most peaceful stretch of life I've known as an adult.
I'm frustrated by something, it's my fault for exposing myself to it in the first place. The rumor mill always seemed like a grass fire to me. Why walk out in the middle of the field, it's just going to flame out and go away just like everything else does?
faults places
But my experience is that people who have been through painful, difficult times are filled with compassion.
experience people thetimes time
Everybody's entitled to think whatever they want and to express that, but my personal day-to-day experience does not come into contact with any of those people.
experience people
I just think people should find the music that helps them through the day and enjoy that. I've never felt like, if somebody does or doesn't like what I'm doing, it's a morality issue.
help music people
I love being with my children. They're fascinating people.
people tso-love