Nat King Cole

I often wonder whether Negroes like myself who are pretty well known help out at all in breaking down barriers.

I am an American citizen and feel I am entitled to the same rights as any other citizen.

I'm proud of our court. It knocks back a lot of the propaganda the Communists put out about the way America treats her Negroes.

I'm a musician at heart, I know I'm not really a singer. I couldn't compete with real singers. But I sing because the public buys it.

The sheriff is at the cash register, and if I don't get a hit soon, I don't know what I'll do.

I am famous because I am an African American jazz artist.

I'm in the music business for one purpose - to make money.

I make no claim to being a business genius. You can make so much money in this business that it loses its value.

Get me well so I can get on television and tell people to stop smoking.

I'm not playing for other musicians. We're trying to reach the guy who works all day and wants to spend a buck at night. We'll keep him happy.

You've got to change with the public's taste.

Music is emotional, and you may catch a musician in a very unemotional mood or you may not be in the same frame of mind as the musician. So a critic will often say a musician is slipping.