Quotes

There are a lot of people who call themselves teachers or leaders, but they're really just propagandists.

What I take from writers I like is their economy -- the ability to use language to very effective ends. The ability to have somebody read something and see it, or for somebody to paint an entire landscape of visual imagery with just sheets of words -- that's magical. That's what I've been trying to strive for -- to draw a clear picture, to open up a new dimension.

[on whether he had any trepidation taking on the role of Chuck Berry in the film Cadillac Records (2008)] Absolutely. I mean, singing those songs--it's not trepidation as much as it is just reverence. It was challenging, but it was a challenge that I welcomed. I'm just glad that I had the opportunity to do it and be a part of it.

[in a 2008 interview about Cadillac Records (2008), explaining what he learned from portraying Chuck Berry] I learned that there's something to be said for the courage of conviction, that sense of belief, being bold enough to believe in your vision. And there's a quote that really fits his particular energy. It says - they say don't go where the path may lead, but go where there's no path and leave a trail. I think that's exactly what Chuck did, you know. It's an inspiration to a lot of folks, not just musicians, but people everywhere.