I reside in a new colony for the Chinese-singing banjo player, with a population of one. At least I have something I have to do with my life.

One thing I carried my whole life, especially from my grandparents in Chicago, was a huge idealism for the world.

When I first started playing the banjo and miraculously fell into a record deal in Nashville, TN, there was a period when I didn't go to China. It hurt. Like a pain in my gut... that pain you feel when you know it's time to connect with your parents or your God or your child or your past or your future... and you don't do it.

My parents played the radio, but music was never an obsession or something that I thought I could call a career.

One of my favorite albums in the world is Bruce Springsteen's 'Nebraska.' Each song has this very distinct character who has something profound to say.

You can enjoy many different types of music. I think that's something more Americans should think about.