You look at Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Bob Seger. All they ever wanted to do was go out there and entertain, and I'm the same way.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I went with a friend to see Frank Sinatra in Las Vegas, in the last year that he was performing. He wasn't necessarily on top form, but the way he could connect with an audience and the way he communicated through the lyrics was something I hadn't ever really seen before.
I came back to New York after college like any number of struggling performers, and you just find that niche where you can have some sort of impact. And for me that turned out to be comedy.
Las Vegas has the type of audience - and they haven't changed since my father's days - they're still boring and bored. And there's only that handful of artists that they really enjoy and know how to respond to.
You just don't see the same type of all-purpose entertainers nowadays.
My life is as an artist, not an entertainer. I don't consider myself an entertainer, but I can do that thing when I want to.
There are many mediocre entertainers who don't aspire to much more than fame and glory. It's very easy to have them as your role models because there aren't as many greats. Go back, discover the greats, and take it from there.
What I've always done as an entertainer is try to come up with things that people will find interesting, or compelling, or humorous.
I did absolutely grow up in a world surrounded by people who were always performing and being flamboyant.
I don't think it's so hard to be commercial and interesting. Look at Prince, or Neil Young.
I've always wanted to stay involved with young people. I never bought into the idea that entertainers owe nothing to their audience except a good performance.