In these confused times the role of classical music is at the very core of the struggle to reassert cultural and ethical values that have always characterized our country and for which we have traditionally been honored and respected outside our shores.

I'd love to do a modern-day musical that's full of original music. To get your contemporaries to sing and dance without looking foolish and for it to be transformational and magical and all those things a musical is supposed to be.

For some reason the evolutionists have not come up with an evolution-based explanation for why human beings react so powerfully to music. But surely they will.

Drums just always sounded like the most fun part of that good music for me.

I write music with an exclamation point!

When you grow up in the music industry trying to be Britney Spears because that's what sells records and then you realize 'All I have to do is be myself? I should have thought of that a long time ago ' it feels good to have success come from what's actually inside of you.

Music will always be my No. 1 passion but I don't have to be doing it professionally. It's not really about that for me anymore. I feel like I don't have to look at it as a career. I can just rest in it and just be.

Writing has laws of perspective of light and shade just as painting does or music. If you are born knowing them fine. If not learn them. Then rearrange the rules to suit yourself.

I came through folk music simply because it was easy to get into it.

The considerations of a corporation especially now have nothing to do with art or music.

To enjoy my music you need depth and emotionality.

In some ways my gift for music and writing was born out of tragedy really and loss.

There was this mountain village in Russia where my music was getting in on some German radio station. I remember this because music used to get up to Saskatchewan from Texas. Late at night after the local station closed down.

I have one piece of music since 1997 and I don't see it having lyrics. Where does it go in this world? So I haven't recorded it.

I don't want to be an artist go on tour and make a video and wear sexy clothes. I would just love to make music.

Comedy is like music and the way to make the best music is to have skilled musicians in your band.

Music breaks my heart constantly.

You listen to a piece of music and it will remind you of something - it might make you happy it might make you sad but it is very emotive. And I think that Duran Duran have always understood that.

Music is hugely important to me.

What's missing from pop music is danger.

You can never stop discovering music.

We forget that this music music made by my brothers and sisters is still a baby. It's just beginning. When I think of the possibilities it makes me smile.

Put you energy into music. If it fails you you can become an accountant or a dentist. And then if you become a dentist or an accountant it's too late to become a musician afterwards.

Music is a language and different people who come along are each using that language to do something different but all coming at it in a similar vein inasmuch as it's always community based and for the most part nonprofit. Most bands don't ever come within a mile of profit - clearly these people are not playing music to make money.