Is that your own experience?
Yes, because you know what? I talk to God all day long. I ask him questions and I ask him for strength and support. Sometimes I get angry and say to God: "Please help me. I'm not getting anywhere here. " I've often been told that I have a big presence when I enter a room. But that's not me. It's God's presence.
Jazz musician Duke Ellington discovered your talent when you were 22 years old. How did you experience that?
That was the beginning of my career, and it was simply amazing. Because here I was, a simple country girl from a small village in Virginia. That went to New York and was asked by the incredible Duke Ellington to sing for his Sacred Concert in a church. That was absolutely crazy for me.
You've also worked with Ella Fitzgerald and Ray Charles.
Oh my God! Ella came on tour with Duke Ellington and me back then. The notes she sang
came out of her with incredible ease.
You've already been on stage with Xavier Naidoo and Helene Fischer - what was that like?
That was also very nice. I really like Xavier Naidoo's music. Xavier can just sit down and write a song straight from his head. That's talent! And I really like the way Helene Fischer sings. It inspires me to work with younger artists. They rejuvenate me!
