Having kids and balancing that with your career, how has fatherhood influenced some of your decisions?
Well, because I had two kids so young, what I wanted was to never do anything that would be detrimental to their development. A lot of people don't think they're role models. Well, when you have kids you really become their biggest role model. There's a saying that "children may not do what you say but they'll definitely do what you do." So you really have to watch what you do. That's the way I try to live my life.
After all these years, you're one of the few R&B artists who has been able to have longevity in the business. I'm curious to know what – personally or professionally – you think attributed to that?
That's the question I get all the time. It's very difficult to answer because there's no way of knowing what the consumers want. Other than the fact that I'm going to stay true to the sort of the landscape that I've set up for myself, I try to be the best Brian McKnight I can be, at least musically. I wouldn't say personally all the time – at least musically, I try to do that. I think my fans have responded to that over the years and have always supported me because I've done my best to keep the level of excellence in the work that I do.
Of all the songs you've recorded, my personal favorite is "Win." I stumbled upon it by accident, when viewing George Tillman's Men of Honor. Keeping the song's lyrics in mind, I was really amazed to know you've been nominated for 16 Grammy Awards over the course of your career – but you've never won one. What kept you motivated, especially in the early years?
The motivation comes from the adulation I get from people that use the music for what it's used for. I don't make records for awards. I've gotten some and that's great and I have them displayed in my house. I know what you're saying. But… I've had a hand in the sale of 60 million albums and those are the awards I have up on the wall. That's what's more important to me, that many people have been touched by some of the music I've been able to create over the years.
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