Kurt Elling Quotes

I must be true to myself within my music or I would be a liar.

To be honest with my music... for me to expect anyone to connect it has to come from a place of honesty.

It's the most personal thing that I do is sing. Because I can't tell a lie. I want them to know exactly what I'm feeling.

If I can't be honest with music, forget it.

If you pretend to be somebody that you're not when you write songs - and I did that on some of the early Styx albums - nobody cares about what you have to say.

The danger with genre is playing genre instead of playing the honesty of what's going on.

All my music is autobiographical, and that's the reason why people like my music. They know when I'm saying something on a song, I mean it. It comes from a real place and captures the realness in my life.

Acting is about being real, being honest.

Let your words be the genuine picture of your heart.

Regardless of how funny I want to be, I don't ever have a problem speaking from my heart or speaking honestly to people.

"The way I feel about music -- any song, any style -- is that there is no right and wrong, only true and false. If the music and lyrics are conceived out of honesty and if the production of the song goes along with its original message, then what has been expressed is art, regardless of what anyone's opinion is of it. So things are a lots impler if you just tell the truth.

There's the dual challenge of wanting to speak from an authentic place, and then being able to be honest about it. Even in the most mannered art, I think that's what people value, is a voice that comes from a real place.

I am quite certain in my heart of hearts that modern music and modern art is not a conspiracy, but is a form of truth and integrity for those who practise it honestly, decently and with all their being.

I think that people respond to honesty in music, so I only choose songs that are the truth for me.

Acting is all about truth and honesty, and the sensitivity that's capable of transporting you.

Music to me is about being honest, and it's what I've always pictured music as. I don't see the point of expressing yourself if you are going to be cryptic about it.

I want that every piece of art be honest, never mind what it is about.

For a creative writer possession of the 'truth' is less important than emotional sincerity.

Sincere words are not fine; fine words are not sincere.

Learn your instrument. Be honest. Don't do anything phony. There is so much crap floating around. There is plenty of room for a bit of honest writing.

I make an effort to keep it as real as I possibly can.

I hope they see the genuine side of me, of my music, of my voice. I hope that they feel me. I hope that what I sing and what I say really gets across to the viewer because everything that comes out is true.

I think anything that is expressed directly and as honestly as possible will last.

The more sincere I could be, the better it would be for the film.

I want people to hear the honesty in my singing, and that I'm not hiding behind anything. It's raw. It's not for any arrogance or ego. It's just pure feelings.