Bret Michaels

Bret: In the past, I've held back on some of the talents I have at being a frontman, and each year I release some of those abilities, little by little.

Bret: I've always done my own thing, for better or worse. I've never had men in suits and ties tell me what to do.

Bret: I've never felt completely successful. I've always felt there was something more I could do. That's part of what makes me crazy. I wish I could sit back and say, 'Okay, now I'm done.'

Bret: (On writing the song Raine for his daughter) That is from a very real spot. When my first child was born in May of 2000, it was the most incredible feeling in my life. If that doesn't make you want to write a song, nothing will. It's about the circle of life and getting through it, and to me it's a very raw, emotional song.

Bret: (His biggest regret) In 1992, when we were recording our fourth album. It was a time in our career when CC and I probably needed to take a vacation and talk about where we wanted to go musically and personally. I'll never forget having a knock-down, drag-out fistfight backstage at the MTV Awards. Both of us were intoxicated and needed rehab. Then we went to New Orleans. We were in the lobby of Le Meridian hotel, having another fight and then we parted ways. It's not like you fight a stranger in a bar and brag to your pals afterwards. I'm not proud that I broke his nose and knocked his teeth out. This is my best friend; we grew up together. We parted ways for two or three years and then I got in my car accident and CC called me in the hospital.

Bret: (On his grandfather) We were in Greenville, South Carolina, where he lived, and he was coming the next day to the show, but he passed away the night before. I was very close to my grandfather. He was the first guy to teach me how to ride a motorcycle, so (his death) meant a lot to me. It just gave me a perspective on life and how important it is to live it and enjoy it while we're here. Sometimes we're looking for the grass to be greener, and what's awesome is right in front of you.

Bret: I love it. It's all good to me. Whether I'm performing in New York, L.A., Columbus or Des Moines, I give 110 percent every night.

Bret: What's kept me sane is I still love making music, and I always have my ear to the street.