If you think about it, Joanne Shaw Taylor really had no choice in her career path. She was born in the West Midlands region of the UK near Birmingham. Musically, that's hallowed ground. It's the same area of the country that gave us Ozzy, Stevie Winwood, Christine McVie, Joan Armatrading and Robert Plant. "I'm not quite on that level." Joanne laughs while I make a mental note about her two previous chart-topping projects, then she adds, "But I'm definitely from a very historic musical place."

Can't believe the price of gas in America. The average price is over $4 per gallon but in Los Angeles (where I live), it's over $5.50. And I hear in San Francisco it's over $7. The price has tripled since just a year ago. I'm worried that the regular minimum wage earner won't be making enough to survive. When that happens, they will join the homeless. When that happens, crime will escalate even more. I believe this blunder is the straw that will break the camel's back.

My wife apologized for the first time ever today.