Maya Angelou photo by Dwight Carter, courtesy of mayaangelou.com.

Maya Angelou is a poet, educator, singer, dancer, actress, composer and Hollywood’s first female black director. She is also a huge country music fan. She talked with Parade ^[1] about her favorite country acts and even admitted to having a crush on a few country stars.

“I’ve been seriously affected by the breakup of Brooks & Dunn ^[2],” she said. “They broke up after 20 years and I’ve been seriously offended by that! I like some young singers, too. I like Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland ^[3] — she can sing — and so can Carrie Underwood ^[4]. And I love Blake Shelton ^[5]. I’m also very smitten by a couple of real cowboys, Montgomery Gentry ^[6]. I went to hear them and they gave me a guitar.”

In her spare time, Maya can be found enjoying some of her hobbies and of course, listening to her music of choice. “I cook and I read,” she said. “I have fabulous gardens, so I like to sit out in my gardens. I cook for friends and have cocktails for friends. I watch Law & Order and listen to country music.”

On Mother’s Day, Maya received a special message from Oprah Winfrey. Maya was touched by the gesture and takes the responsibility of being called an inspiration seriously. “It’s a blessing,” she said. “I’m grateful to be of use. I will not be misused or abused, but I will be of use to anybody.”

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