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
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
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 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
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!!!