I'm still Elliott Yamin. I'm still the funky white Jewish boy from Richmond, Va. Elliott Yamin More Quotes by Elliott Yamin More Quotes From Elliott Yamin To me, obstacles in life build character. You have to be able to overcome adversity in order to succeed and appreciate the simple things life has to offer...that's where most of my inspiration for writing and singing comes from. Elliott Yamin inspiration writing character I was introduced to soul music at a very young age - my mom was a soul singer. Elliott Yamin mom soul age I think the fact that I am living my dream and being really productive and embarking on all my lifelong aspirations is proof enough that if I can do it, anyone can. I try to tell everybody to dream big and go after their dreams. Elliott Yamin being-real dream thinking My dad's Israeli. He was born in Baghdad to Iraqi Jews. Then, at age two, his parents wanted to move to their homeland and he grew up in Israel. I've been there twice, once as a baby and once when I was 15. Elliott Yamin dad baby moving Growing up, I can remember singing along with my ma all of the time. I wouldn't say she necessarily 'taught' me how to sing, but she was definitely the first person to inspire me to sing and the first to intrigue me vocally. I've always had a natural ear for music, though. Elliott Yamin growing-up singing inspire When I was a kid, I remember trying to emulate Stevie Wonder's sound, and Donny Hathaway's sound. It's just part of who I am - I'm just a soulful kind of dude. Elliott Yamin who-i-am trying kids I come from a family with big hearts, so I love to put smiles on people's faces. Elliott Yamin smiles family love people Before 'Idol,' I was lost... Now, I've actually followed through with something. I am a better man for it! Elliott Yamin i-am better man lost Quite frankly, I'm tired of taking insulin and pumping my stomach every three days and pricking my finger and drawing blood out of it every day - it's a tedious, meticulous, annoying disease that never goes away. And I want to get rid of it like everybody else does. Elliott Yamin every-day day tired drawing Music's something you feel. You have to feel it first before you hear it. Elliott Yamin something feel you music
