B. J. Thomas

“I try to give the soft pop sound a natural relaxed feeling.”

“I think it's a really sad commentary when people who want to refer to themselves as quote-Christians-unquote would want to come out and hear someone just to boo them. That to me was always tough to deal with, and I just stopped making 100 percent gospel records.”

“The label I was on had Dionne, The Shirelles and several other R&B artists. I loved guys like Ray Charles and I tried to convey that soulful sincerity that they had.”

“I can remember being a kid and listening to the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday night.”

“I'd been in the gospel business in the late '70s to the mid '80s, and I kind of left that situation. Then I would do whatever gospel thing I wanted to do in the context of what I would normally do.”

“I grew up in the city in Houston, Texas. We lived in three or four different places around Houston for most of my childhood. Probably like most people, I had happy times, and I had sad, difficult times. There were some dysfunctions in my family.”

“That's kind of one of the first cities where air conditioning kind of boomed was Houston. At one time, it was the most air-conditioned city in the United States.”

“I've got lifetime memories tied to my songs; I never get tired of singing them. I don't blame you if you don't believe me, but I've never had that problem.”

“I grew up with the Grand Ole Opry on the radio, but when I was about 12 or 13, I fell in love with Jackie Wilson and Bobby Bland.”

“I'm from the generation where when we recorded 'Hooked On A Feeling,' we did my vocal live to track. It was all live.”

“I was a huge R&B enthusiast.”

“I'm an upbeat person, especially when I'm onstage and when I'm involved with my music.”

“I've had a lot of hits in the business.”

“The lines and distinction between what's considered country and what's considered pop have really changed over the years.”

“All I am is just another guy.”

“Joining the Opry is a dream-come-true.”

“I've always been kind of a low-key guy.”