Interview Central – My Life as An Entertainment Journalist (Part 1)

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Okay, today I’m sharing a part of my life that’s been quite unexpected but also equally quite fulfilling.

For the past twenty years or so I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing and writing about some of my favorite rock/pop musicians!!!

I was hired to work at a local newspaper (the News-Sentinel) in 1998 and happened to stumble into writing entertainment articles for that same newspaper. I wasn’t hired as a journalist but over the years as the staff of journalists shrank due to layoffs I had the opportunity to write articles for the entertainment section which turned out to be quite a fun job.

I had written a lot of fiction before I came to the newspaper, I write children and YA books and articles as well, so writing is second nature to me and talking about music is like breathing so it was really a terrific fit and a great opportunity to be able to write about and interview famous musicians – and a bit surreal as well.

Some of the people I’ve interviewed in the past twenty years include:

Gene Simmons of KISS, Peter Frampton, Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, Diana Krall, Tommy James, Neal Doughty of REO Speedwagon, Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues, Buddy Guy, Richard Williams of Kansas, Steely Dan, Dewey Bunnell of America, Alice Cooper, Paul Doucette of Matchbox Twenty, Phillip Phillips, George Jones, Glen “The Kid” Marhevka (trumpet player for Big Bad Voodoo Daddy), Paul O’Neill of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Bill Allen (Executive Director and Producer of Cirque de la Symphonie), Richard Sterban of The Oak Ridge Boys, Jim Brickman, Bryan Adams, Rick Springfield, Peter Tork of The Monkees, Clay Aiken, Chip Davis of Mannheim Steamroller, Keith Harkin of Celtic Thunder, John Rzeznik (lead singer and songwriter for The Goo Goo Dolls), Garry Peterson (drummer for The Guess Who), Tony Butala (lead singer for The Lettermen), Peter Noone (lead singer for Herman’s Hermits), Gary Puckett, Graeme Edge (drummer and songwriter for The Moody Blues), Chloe Agnew of Celtic Woman, Rusty Young (lead singer and songwriter for Poco), Danny Hutton (lead singer for Three Dog Night), Gordon Lightfoot, Vivian Campbell (guitarist for Def Leppard) and Robby Takac (bass player for The Goo Goo Dolls).

 

Here are some of my favorite articles that I’ve written and published for The News-Sentinel newspaper. Articles include interviews as well as the occasional concert or album review (click links below):

Beatlemania_ 50 years since The Beatles landed in the United States – News-Sentinel

‘Hey hey, it’s the Monkees’ – Entertainment – News-Sentinel

James McCartney seemed to be off at Brass Rail – Entertainment – News-Sentinel

James McCartney, son of the music legend, to perform in Fort Wayne – Arts & Music – News-Sentinel

Jazz great Diana Krall mixes many music styles – News-Sentinel

Kevin Costner’s film fame the big draw for his concert here Sunday – News-Sentinel

Legendary rock group Styx shares its large library of hits this Saturday at Foellinger Outdoor Theatre – News-Sentinel

Legends Crosby, Stills & Nash bring harmony to excited Embassy Theatre audience – News-Sentinel

Mannheim Steamroller founder feels personal link to band he created – News-Sentinel

Matchbox Twenty hitting new heights with latest album – News-Sentinel

Mellencamp’s come far since the ’80s – News-Sentinel

Mood relaxed as Diana Krall plays Fort Wayne’s Embassy Theatre – News-Sentinel

Music legend Bob Dylan plays Friday at Parkview Field – News-Sentinel

Music review: New John Lennon vinyl box set brings back his music in all its glory – News-Sentinel

Noone, Hermits to play at Honeywell Center – News-Sentinel

Oak Ridge Boys bring Christmas show to Embassy Theatre – News-Sentinel

Peter Frampton comes full circle – Entertainment – News-Sentinel

Poco takes stage in Van Wert – News-Sentinel

Preview of new deluxe CD set ‘George Harrison — The Apple Years 1968-1975,’ being released Tuesday – News-Sentinel

Re-mixed Beatles Hollywood Bowl’ CD worth the wait – Entertainment – News-Sentinel

Review_ The Beatles are coming to CD — again – News-Sentinel

Rick Springfield, who plays Sunday night at Foellinger Theatre, loves his fans – News-Sentinel

Ringo in Starr-studded performance at Foellinger Outdoor Theatre – Arts & Music – News-Sentinel

Ringo Starr blends solo, Beatles hits into wonderful show – Entertainment – News-Sentinel

The Monkees reunite_ Band plays favorities and rarities on 45th-anniversary tour, including three shows in Indiana – News-Sentinel

The Moody Blues play on – News-Sentinel

Tommy James and the Shondells to rock Foellinger Theatre – News-Sentinel

Tork, Dolenz still monkeying around – Entertainment – News-Sentinel

50 years in, Gordon Lightfoot still loves performing – News-Sentinel

America brings hits to outdoor concert – News-Sentinel

Ballads with a new flair: Lettermen promise more than typical ‘oldies’ show – News-Sentinel

Blues great Buddy Guy humbled by music success, his amazing journey  – News-Sentinel

Celebrating 40 years of KISS – Entertainment – News-Sentinel

Clay Aiken sings with classic style – News-Sentinel

Even without the Eagles, Joe Walsh soars in Foellinger concert – Entertainment – News-Sentinel

Folk music legend John McCutcheon loves performing live – News-Sentinel

From ‘American Idol’ win to megahit ‘Home, Phillip Phillips going with the flow – News-Sentinel

Goo Goo Dolls’ CD ‘defines who we are’ – News-Sentinel

Hoosier rocker back to basics – News-Sentinel

Ian Anderson to perform solo work and Jethro Tull classics at Embassy – Entertainment – News-Sentinel

Jim Brickman brings Christmas concert to the Embassy – News-Sentinel

School’s back in with Alice Cooper at the Embassy Theatre – News-Sentinel

70s hitmaker Three Dog Night will be in town for a sold-out concert – News-Sentinel

I’ll be sharing more of my journalistic work soon in another blog post. Until then, be well and enjoy this hot August day!!!