I sometimes get that wonderful sympathy between me and the audience, telling me I’ve reached their hearts. And when I do, the thrill is mine.

Intelligent analysis of the composer’s intention and strict adherence to it automatically ensures sincerity.

Public and employer opinion often defeat society’s best interests with a prejudice against middle-aged women.

I know I’m fat and I know my hair is straight, but I can sing.

I love animals to the extent that my home is my dog’s home! Which means that nothing is too good for my Freckles-chairs, couches, beds. But I do draw the line on chipmunks nibbling at my table linens, bedding, blankets, etc.

If rock-and-roll is well done, there’s nothing so terribly wrong with that kind of music. But the lyrics are another story.

I could see myself in a white nurse’s uniform, working unnoticed for many years and at last dying, unknown, unmarried and unsung.

There’s no second chance on stage, and I was trained to make the most of my first chance.

I just can’t read music.

It has been said that genius is only the power of making continuous effort. The line between failure and success is so fine that we scarcely know when we pass it. We are told that there is no failure, except in no longer trying - no defeat, except from within, no really insurmountable barrier save our own weakness of purpose.