Founder of Ladysmith Black Mambazo who have won a Grammy, their second, for best Traditional World Music Album with 'Raise Your Spirit Higher'. Chris Barron contacted him on tour in the US and asked him

How, if at all, will this change things for you?

It will change things for me because my people are very happy. Maybe they will understand what I am talking about when I say we need a music academy. I have tried several times to start one. But we are still fundraising for it.

An academy for traditional music?

For traditional and all other music, but based in the traditional culture. We nearly lost our traditional music, which is a gift from God. And it would be wrong, it would be unpatriotic, to destroy God's gift. But the attitude to traditional music is beginning to change.

Youngsters in the townships think it's seriously uncool to listen to you. Does this bother you?

Those guys who do kwaito and pop have said to me, "We take it from you."

Take what?

They get their energy from Black Mambazo.

Do you think you're appreciated more in the US than at home?

You are right when you say that, but I don't know why. I think it's because the people here [in the US] are listening to something that they weren't expecting, something that's new for them. At home they know it. Here, they are hungry to know everything.

You're probably more famous there right now than our President. How does that make you feel?

(Laughs.) I thank our management here who take me everywhere.

Do you get enough radio time in South Africa?

Not really. People have complained about that. They say: "We don't hear you on radio."

Do you get the media exposure in South Africa that you think you deserve?

We've been getting a lot since we were nominated for this award. But not before. No, never.

Where would you be without Paul Simon (who brought the group to international attention with the Graceland album and tour in 1987)?

Since we joined Paul Simon the demand has been incredible. He was like somebody who was sent by somebody.

Are you still mates?

Oh yes. We call one another "brother". I have given him a [Zulu] name which means "open the way", because he is the one who opened this way for us. We were big in South Africa, but here in America... There are many who want to play with us now.

Including the English Chamber Orchestra. What was it like working with them?

It was good. We learned from each other. Our notes are a little bit different from theirs.

Did your success overseas come as a shock to you?

Very much. But it was my dream. I had been telling people, "I am going to sing for the world." What was burning from inside grew to be a reality. But when it [fame] happened, I was surprised.

Did you find the fame intimidating at all?

I was from a farm and it was big for me even to see Ladysmith. But no, it was good to visit new places and people, and teach them a sound that was hidden in South Africa.

You started Black Mambazo 45 years ago. What sort of turnover of members has the group had?

I'm singing with my children now who were not born in the 1960s when we started. There are 10 of us and four are my children.

Are your compositions a team effort?

I write the words. I have the music inside me. I sing the notes and they harmonise with me.

Are there disagreements?

From the beginning when there were 24 of us. My people said what I wanted them to sing was too difficult. We were doing well but for me it was not enough. We had to grow. They said, "Your songs are very difficult. You are telling us something we don't know how to do. The words are easy. The tunes are difficult. We don't like that. That is not our music." I said, "You are lazy. Good-bye." And I walked out. I started a new group with my brothers and cousins.

You're 64. When will you retire?

It will depend when the voice is not there, when the people don't need me on stage. As long as my supporters are there I will go with my walking stick on stage. It's my life. I don't think I can do without it.

You're in your third week there. How have the audiences been?

The shows have been sold out. It doesn't matter if the venue is a small hall that holds 500 people or one for 2 000 or 3 000. They've been full.

-Chris Barron