My high-school a cappella teacher would embarrass me in front of the choir. 'Mavis, you're in the basement. Mavis, you're singing with the boys.' I said, 'Mr. Finch, my voice isn't soprano. I can't sing up there with the girls.'… — Mavis Staples Copy Share Image
My voice is my gift. And Pops had me using it in the right way. I had many offers to sing pop, to sing rhythm and blues. Pops said "Mavis, this record company want to give you a million dollars."… — Mavis Staples Copy Share Image
One day, when I was about eight years old, some kids pushed me on stage at school during a talent show because they knew… — Mavis Staples Copy Share Image
I was not fortunate enough to run into Obama. We were at the same church per se, but I would never be there when… — Mavis Staples Copy Share Image
I started writing letters home to my mother, saying that I wanted to come home, grandma won't let me sing. — Mavis Staples Copy Share Image
My high-school a cappella teacher would embarrass me in front of the choir. 'Mavis, you're in the basement. Mavis, you're singing with the boys.'… — Mavis Staples Copy Share Image
We enjoyed the fact that we were called to the folk festivals and we got to know Joan Baez, Dylan. We were singing strictly… — Mavis Staples Copy Share Image
If you don't get out among the people, how are you going to know what they need to hear about? — Mavis Staples Copy Share Image
It's been an amazing life. It's really just been the most magical thing for me - and I have these musical friends from all… — Mavis Staples Copy Share Image
