Does the band have any “rules to live by” or “pearls of wisdom” gleaned over the years?

“No good deed goes unpunished.”

With all your success and experience in the business, what advice would you give an up-and-coming musician?

Find a good manager – which is really hard to do – and get a good lawyer – several, if necessary.

Are there any misunderstood ideas/impressions about you (or the group) that you would like to set straight?

From the very beginning, we got saddled with a lot of labels, clichés and stereotypes that are not accurate. The words “mellow” and “laid back” come to mind. Our music was categorized with the catchall “country rock,” although there are obvious elements of bluegrass, R&B, soul, gospel, folk, and even jazz running all through our material. So-called “music journalists” like to put things in little boxes and do comparative analysis because the comparison and cliché makes it easier for them. They don’t have to listen closely to the material or put a lot of thought into what they are writing. As I’ve said before, the Eagles are a musical mutt, and mutts are smarter and more durable than purebreds.

There’s always lingering talk of a new Eagles album – a tantalizing prospect for your fans. What are the chances?

I’d say the chances are 50-50 – depending on the day, of course.

If we could put your basic philosophy in a nut-shell, what would it be?

Hard work and perseverance – as well as mental flexibility – are just as important as talent. We work very hard in this group and we always have. My own personal philosophy echoes the sentiments of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

People might be surprised to know what about you?

I’m an avid gardener and I’m a very good cook – I think.

Since this is the Farewell I Tour, can your fans look forward to a few more?

Again, it just depends on the day. Some days, it appears like the future is unlimited. Other days, it looks like we’re almost done.

What kind of life do you look forward to after The Eagles?

Well, I still owe Warner Bros. two albums under my solo contract, so I still have work to do even if the Eagles vaporize tomorrow. Being a member of the Eagles has been a major part of my life and I am truly grateful, as I think we all are, for the experience. Being in the Eagles has been a magic carpet ride for all of us that has taken us all over the world and back, but it has been all-consuming at times. Now, each of us has a family and our priorities are shifting. There are so many more things that I want to do in my life – things that don’t necessarily involve the Eagles. But, again, the Eagles have been the springboard – the means to open a lot of doors that would otherwise have been closed. The one thing I know for sure is that I’m going to be busy for years to come – with family, music, environmental and political work and a host of other things. So much to do, so little time.