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That's my favorite subject because it really levels the playing field for artists these days. You don't have to sell out to the record company. You don't have to get a five hundred thousand dollars, or whatever, and pay them back for the rest of your life to record a record.

I didn't need to depend on the record company to publish my records.

Do not let any record company disturb your creative flow. You are not writing for the record company. You're writing for the public.

If you are a musician who has released albums, it would perhaps be morbidly interesting to know how much you would be owed if everyone who now has your music had actually bought your record.

One of the biggest wake-up calls of my career was when I saw a record contract. I said, 'Wait - you sell it for $18.98 and I make 80 cents? And I have to pay you back the money you lent me to make it and then you own it?'

You don't need a record company to turn you into anything.

I was an artist, I was executive producer on my first album, so I've always had to manage both. I couldn't get a record deal. It wasn't by choice - I couldn't get a record deal, so I had to figure it out.

I got a publishing deal with BMG, they were supportive, and some money to record demos.

I'm fortunate that I've been in this business long enough that I've earned the right to be left alone by my record company.