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Sure, I've thought about retiring, but in my mind, if you can't sing the song anymore, change the song and sing a different one!
Johnny Mathis -
But I am very grateful for my success, and with success, of course, comes a whole lot of celebrity.
Johnny Mathis
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I've had relationships with people from all over the world, but there has never been enough time in a day for me to have anything other than just close relationships. I've never been one to give myself over to anybody. I don't know what is wrong with me, but it never happened.
Johnny Mathis -
I've had several unavoidable problems because of my athletic career.
Johnny Mathis -
My parents were over the moon when I had some success with Christmas songs because that was the time of the year that meant so much to them. They were able to see their loved ones, and it was great to hear their son's voice on the radio while they visited.
Johnny Mathis -
Some of the stuff, I absolutely don't remember recording it, it's been so long. But I do like to try to throw in something a little different for the audience once in a while. Because a lot of these people who come to see have come back many, many times.
Johnny Mathis -
Most of the people I hang out with who sing love it, and they just want to do it until they die. I still look forward to the performances. And believe it or not, they're all kind of different. Even though you sing the same songs, and maybe you go to the same venues, it just feels completely different every time you go on stage.
Johnny Mathis -
The world changes. The world is completely different now from when I was growing up. Back then, you didn't say things like they say now, out loud, about race and things. But that's just progress. When are we going to find out that we're all the same - we're all absolutely, without a doubt, the same?
Johnny Mathis
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I also met, early on Ella Fitzgerald. Her songbooks are some of the most amazing bodies of work.
Johnny Mathis -
I had a good record company right from the beginning, and I'm still with them after all these years. I think I may be the only person in the world that's had a tenure this long with any record company.
Johnny Mathis -
Sometimes being famous gets in the way of doing what you want to do.
Johnny Mathis -
I'm known for mushy music.
Johnny Mathis -
Every time I try to tell people things about my career, I wonder if that's the truth or something I'm fantasizing about.
Johnny Mathis -
The voice muscle doesn't last forever. I have a lot of friends who are classical and opera singers. My friend Beverly Sills stopped singing in her 50s, so I'm careful with mine. But I'll keep going as long as it lets me.
Johnny Mathis
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I don't think about the future. It sort of will take care of itself; there's not really much that I can do other than fundamental things like taking care of my voice, keeping to my exercise routine, and getting some rest.
Johnny Mathis -
I really, really enjoy music and that's why I do what I do.
Johnny Mathis -
I think it's important to cultivate as many people as you can to see which ones you jive with. And it makes you happy. If one dies, you have another one. So living is a process that you have to do by yourself, and if you can learn a few little goodies along the way that might make it easier for you, so much the better.
Johnny Mathis -
That's a big important deal, the way people see you from the stage. Once in a while, I'd ask people, 'How did you enjoy the show?' 'Hey, you looked great.' But how did I sound? That visual look is very important to people.
Johnny Mathis -
There are situations when, in your singing, in your interpretation of songs, for instance, when you want a straight tone. And I have to work really hard at getting a straight tone... That's sort of like if you have curly hair, you have curly hair.
Johnny Mathis -
First, I try to take everything away that doesn't matter to singing. It sounds simplistic, but it works. There is absolute focus on singing: producing sounds and emotions that I have always enjoyed. This is key.
Johnny Mathis
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It's always nice to hear people say, 'You sound the same,' when I know I don't.
Johnny Mathis -
No, I don't regret my decision at all, especially after I started this music career. My eyes were as big as saucers.
Johnny Mathis -
I've found that the more friends I have, the luckier I am.
Johnny Mathis -
Over the years, I was lucky; right from the beginning, I studied with a lady who had a lot of... she was a classical singer, and of course, they're a little bit more into, you know, preserving the voice, making sure your instrument is ready to perform.
Johnny Mathis