James Ingram Quotes

James Ingram

Profession : Singer

Birth : February 16, 1952

Quincy said, 'What're you doing?' I said, 'I'm trying to smooth that gruff out of my voice. I'm trying to smooth it out.' He said, 'That gruff in your voice, that's why you're in here. That's your sound.' When he said that, a light went on in my head.

James Ingram

I don't feel like a celebrity until the public reminds me.

James Ingram

I didn't know the piano only has 12 notes. It's just different octaves of the same 12 notes. When I figured that out, I was like, 'Oh-whee!'

James Ingram

To keep my mother from pinching me when I was talking, I joined up in the choir. But I never did a solo.

James Ingram

I'm telling you, the people that I was playing behind in Akron, Ohio. I knew I couldn't sing. That's how great they were. I wasn't trying. I was just doing background.

James Ingram

There are a billion ways to say I love you. And I'm always looking for a billion and one ways to express that very personal emotion. That's part of my journey in this world.

James Ingram

When people ask me, I say I studied at the University of Ray Charles and went to learn with the master, Quincy.

James Ingram

Even though I do a lot of songwriting, there's always other great material out there that you have to be aware of.

James Ingram

The first time you hear a song you might not remember the words, but you can go to the record store and hum the melody. The story almost becomes secondary.

James Ingram

When I sit down to create music, I can't be disturbed with the past. I look ahead because that's what is important now.

James Ingram

I always say that if the song is strong enough, it'll stand on its own.

James Ingram