The students write songs of themselves. First they draw paintings about what they feel and see to get to the heart of the poem. It's not an easy poem but they come away liking the poem.

He was pretty controversial, but the students see through it when we bring it up. Homosexuality is part of (our) times, unlike when (Whitman) was writing.

It's not a support group for writers.

He's not just someone that our parents listened to. He's still around. His songs are classics. (Students are) not going to say, 'What did that guy do again?' They know exactly who he is.

Level-two students have the ability to handle songs that are harder. To higher level students I give different assignments, other songs and tests.

We did two records and cut some good songs, but I don't know why we didn't last. We were insane. We were like, what, 24 years old at the time. We just moved on, I guess, which is the nature of the business.