High school hero

My grandmother meant the world to me.

In the air force

ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 1 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM Doing my best in a Nashville studio

New deejay in town

ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 2 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM My first wife, Martha, a good woman with a great spirit

My children with Martha — Lana, Billy, and Susie

Beautiful family portrait of Lana, Billy, Martha, and Susie

ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 3 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM Shirley and me, in perfect harmony

Sweet memories of Connie, Amy, and Paula

Wedding day for my son Billy. I was proud to be best man.

ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 4 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM Sister Bobbie, the real musician in the family

Leon Russell, one of the greatest entertainers of our time

Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams Jr., , and

ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 5 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM Annie, love of my life

On the beach in Paia, Hawaii, with Micah, Annie, and Luke

ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 6 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM My musical mainstays — from left, Paul English, the late Bee Spears, and Mickey Raphael

Mickey Raphael, a hero of the harmonica and a forever friend (Danny Clinch)

ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 7 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM The family and crew. I couldn’t make it without them.

A crazy crowd — from left, Poodie Locke, my stage manager (in a woman’s wig); Owen Wilson, Bo Franks, my daughter Paula; and just below her, Jessica Simpson, Dan Rather, Woody Harrelson; and, on top, director Jay Chandrasekhar

ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 8 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM Jamming with my good friends Rosalynn and President Jimmy Carter along with my sons Luke and Micah

My main man, manager Mark Rothbaum, with Hillary Clinton

Governor Ann Richards and Dennis Hopper honoring my hometown

ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 1 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM His Holiness the Dalai Lama enjoying a good laugh

A happy man behind the wheel of a pickup

A happy man with a happy horse

ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 2 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM One of life’s enduring pleasures — playing poker with (Danny Clinch)

Kris and Merle, buddies for life (Danny Clinch)

ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 3 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM Back alley of the Apollo Theater, NYC, with two blues masters: B.B. King and Eric Clapton (Photographed by Jonathan Becker)

Miles Davis, a creative giant

Bob Dylan and , American originals

I have great respect for as an artist and a humanitarian.

ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 4 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM Jack White, superb guitarist, producer, and musical preservationist

Honorary degree at Berklee School of Music, with Kris, Carole King, and Annie Lennox

ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 5 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM The great : I cherished his music, I cherished our friendship. (Courtesy of the Ray Charles Foundation)

Harmonizing with beautiful Bonnie Raitt

ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 6 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM As much as I like George Clooney, I liked the singing style of his aunt Rosemary even more.

Relaxin’ at home in Hawaii with Woody and Owen

ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 7 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM I earned my 5th degree in Gongkwon Yusul at the Master Martial Arts school under Tae Kwon Do master Sam Um.

Trigger, my closest ally and best friend

ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 8 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM