"I have always thought of myself as a performer first and way down the line as a recording artist"

Leo Kottke's quote speaks with his enthusiasm for carrying out music. He sees himself as a performer most importantly, and views recording music as a secondary activity. This suggests that Kottke values the experience of carrying out live more than the process of recording music. He likely enjoys the energy of a live audience and the immediacy of carrying out music in the moment. Kottke's quote also implies that he is more interested in the innovative procedure of carrying out than the technical aspects of recording. He likely prefers the spontaneity of playing music live, rather than the precision of recording in a studio. Kottke's quote is a testament to his enthusiasm for carrying out music and his dedication to creating a distinct and interesting live experience.