Levon Helm

I don't hear record companies coming up with any good ideas or suggestions. Historically, if it ain't their idea, it ain't no good, so you got that to contend with.

Conway Twitty was always our local hero while I was growing up. He had a series of good bands. I wanted to sit in, if Conway would let me. And he did a couple of times.

Good times don't last long sometimes.

Songs don't wear out. Good songs are good now. If they were a comfort during those hard times in the past, they'll be a comfort in today's age.

When the second record came out, they started calling it The Band. I voted to call it The Crackers. I'm no fool.

A friend of mine took me to Memphis advised me that I should get in the musicians' union. He gave me a set of drums and said, Stay on the job, son.

If you give it good concentration, good energy, good heart and good performance, the song will play you.

When I was younger, I used to drive up to a bunch of turkeys, roll down the window and say something. They'd all gobble back at once.

It's different playing in a studio than it is playing live, of course.

You got to pick one - pay your medical bills or pay the mortgage. Most people can't do both, and I'm no different.

I've always thought it was easier for girls to sing harmonies because their voices can go to that higher plane so much more easy than a male voice.

I don't think I'm a millionaire, but I'm comfortable.