The short answer is "because I love it." Creating and performingmusic is a passion. There's something very magical aboutthe ephemeral experience of performance and I very muchenjoy the craft of songwriting.

What was the moment that turned you into a philanthropist?

I think the galvanizing moment was back in college in NewYork City. I witnessed a homeless man weeping on the sidewalkon a bitterly cold evening in only a tee shirt and pants with noshoes or socks. I only owned the one coat that I was wearingand my shoes weren't big enough to fit his feet, so I reluctantlywalked by. I resolved never to pass by another person that Ifelt I could help.

What do you feel is the least served philanthropic area?

Hands-on human interaction and involvement. I have beeninvolved with numerous homeless charities over the yearsand while it is obvious that some of that population hasissues of mental illness and drug abuse, there are quite a fewpeople who are simply in need of a friend. Someone to speakwith and maybe give some feedback on the choices they arecompelled to make.

From the musical world, the most obvious would be Bono. Hehas really established the paradigm for using fame to serve agreater purpose. Stevie Wonder is also a hero. Both are veryinvolved in social causes and unafraid to use their music tomake social or political statements; not to mention they areincredible musical talents.

If you found ten dollars on the street, what would you do with it?

Honestly? Probably pick it up and put it in my wallet and thinkhow lucky I was. Then over the next week proceed to spendthree times that buying food for any number of homeless peoplethat I came across.

If you could be a mentor, what would you teach?

Music would be an obvious choice. But I am also a huge fan ofhistory. I think teaching the lessons of history and providingcontext to understand it better could make a huge impact onyoung people.

What was your last nonprofit event you attended?

I just hosted a benefit concert called "MuST Lift Together" forMusic in Schools Today (MuST) at the Cowell Theater in SanFrancisco. It also served as the release of my new album, Lift.

If you could change only one thing about the world we live in, what would it be?

Our perspective. What I mean is that I would like for one briefmoment, for every individual on this planet to viscerally feeland understand what it was like to be everyone else. Having auniversal insight into everyone's hopes and dreams and fearsand frustrations would change everything.

If you could change only one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Oh man! How about my tendency to read that question and think "there's no way I can come up with only one thing that I'd like tochange about myself"? That, and I would like to be taller.