I feel very lucky to get to fly the flag of RCA Records and Sony Music.
I feel like I can make records where, you know, I can get in the alley and exchange bars with Styles P, but I can also get in the studio and create a classic with Rihanna.
I've only had one platinum album, and it's 'Red River Blue'.
If you're in music, you're in music, and if you're in music you just want to keep making records and playing. That's what it's about, isn't it? At least, that's what I always thought it was about, anyway.
I was 19 when I recorded my first album, and I've been exposed to many things during these last few years; all the baby fat is gone.
I've been in the studio environment since I was young, so I know what to expect.
And, you know, I never wanted to be a singer.
I don't have a long history of hit singles of my own. I had a few, and I had a little hot streak in the '70s, but I've had a lot of success producing other people.
I don't make as many records as other people do because I prefer the live side of it - and my records are so big that they keep me touring for years upon years and years.
I'm hoping to become a recording artist and make albums and go on tour.
You know, I've released some great records and I've released some dogs. But frankly, the fun is in creating the thing.
Every time you go in and make a record it is like a calling card, not so people can come and hear you live or are interested in your catalog.
There was never really a Plan B for me - I always wanted to be a music artist.
I don't think that a lot of my favorite producers or bands would produce our albums or even play on them, unfortunately.
I'm always writing my own music, recording my own music, even if I am 9/10 of the time recording stuff for other people. I'm still working on my own creative endeavors.
I've been doing musical theater since I was a kid. And look for a CD from me in the future. I want to write all the songs!
If there's anybody who knew how to play in a studio, it was Duane Allman.
Klaus from the Teddybears, Bloodshy and Avant and Mike Snow, they've done lots of Britney Spears production. They went backwards from production to being in a band, which might be cool. I might do that, too, one day.
When we're in the studio, and we sing that first note on that record, you're committing to being a Backstreet Boy!
The transition from fan to performer to recording artist, for me, was like learning how to dive... and each board got higher and higher.
I often thought that if I had been working with Mark James at American Studios, I would have had a pop hit before I ever moved out of Memphis. But that didn't happen.
I remember when I made my first album, I was 32 or 33 years old and I thought I was way too old then.
There's not a whole lot of media interest in me other than just the records that I make.
I'd love to work with Bruno Mars and Ryan Tedder.
All I want to do is sing on other people's records.
