105 Quotes by Ry Cooder

It's tremendously expensive to make a record on the basis of writing checks.

I like the idea that something happens to everybody who comes to L.A. - whether they are Mexican, Irish, black, or hillbillies. You come here, and you leave all your traditions behind. And since there's no traditions here, you just make one up.

I always loved country gospel from back when I was a teenager in high school and started listening to bluegrass quite a lot.

Who does this, at age 71, try to put a tour together from scratch? I have to say it's scary at times. But I like a challenge 'cause it keeps you on your toes.

I think I'm more relaxed; I think I'm more philosophical. I don't get worried as much as I used to about things.

I don't like being watched, and I don't like being an entertainer.

People who love the applause should have it, but I don't care for it.

Film work is a job I like to do because I really love to solve problems.

Uncle Dave Macon was a great balladeer and banjo player from the early part of the 19th century... He would take a social problem or something that he was looking at and make up a clever little song about it, you know, in a language everyone understood, a man of the people.