I'm not a racist, but I do have to work at not being a racist, because of where I grew up.

Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world, and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that.

America's criminal justice system isn't known for rehabilitation. I'm not sure that, as a society, we are even interested in that concept anymore.

I don't believe that songwriting has to be profound, but I truly believe that it's a crime for you to go outta your way for it not to be.

I have a low tolerance for mediocrity in music and life. I'm into pain and joy and the in-between doesn't interest me.

Actually, in its purest form, Islam is incredibly tolerant. That makes what's going on in the world really bizarre.

All we do as songwriters is rewrite the songs that have impressed us till we find our own voice. It's part of learning the craft.

You see things differently at 40 than you do at 31. Especially if you got to 40 the way I did.

Every day on Earth is another chance to get it right.

I don't really think in terms of obstacles. My biggest obstacle is always myself.

To me, religion is an agreement between a group of people about what God is. Spirituality is a one-on-one relationship.

It's funny how cucumber water can taste so much better than pickle juice, even though they come from the same source.

Heroes are like angels, they're all around us… we just don’t always stop to notice ...

You really have to look inside yourself and find your own inner strength, and say, 'I'm proud of what I am and who I am, and I'm just going to be myself.'

Our law is a Jordanian law that we inherited, which applies to both the West Bank and Gaza, and sets the death penalty for those who sell land to Israelis.

I'm probably a little too uninhibited.

The only thing I can't resist is temptation.

If I had a Boy Scout I could make a fire by rubbing his hind legs together.

I've done everything I could to the best of my ability. Thank you for the unconditional love and cyber hugs. You inspire me.

All of my stories are 95 percent truthful.

Television... is not a substitute for print.