Interview with the Host–December 12, 2008

December 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment

I had the honor of turning the tables on Sound Authors host Dr. Kent Gustavson and interviewed him about the guests on last week’s show.

1)What tips did Joel Magnuson, author of Mindful Economics share on the show on how we can better manage this downward economy?

It’s always fascinating speaking with people that know much more than you do about things… and that was certainly the case with Joel Magnuson. He spoke about the current economic mess, and how the system is designed to do something like what we are seeing… He talks about a new way of looking at the economy. It’s not about bailouts and maintaining the current way of doing things — it’s about educating the people, and giving more to the environment, social causes etc… We had a fascinating chat.
 
2) You spoke to Norma J. Watts,  author of Art of Baby Nameology. She believes that every letter in a name says something about what activities  that person will enjoy and their personality. Did you try this out on your name and  the name of your family and friends?

It was great fun to speak to Norma J. Watts, because I, a bit of a skeptic, was pleasantly surprised by her predictions according to peoples’ names. It’s not about the “meaning” of a name for her — its about the personality of a name… So, when I asked her about strange names, and the like, as well as nicknames, she was really right on in interpreting peoples’ personalities! Her book is beautifully written, and a must-have for any parent wanting to name a child… and also for folks just curious about their identities…
 
3) What did you learn from speaking to Nadeem Aslam, author of Wasted Vigil about what went into this award winning novel?

The conversation I had with Nadeem Aslam was probably the most incredible interview I’ve ever had. He is so soft spoken, and careful with his words, I really felt how he gets into his characters and scenes within his novels. He spoke to us about Afghanistan, about politics, religion, and much more. It was a discussion of a lifetime — I felt that Nadeem let us into his private world with the interview.
 
4) You had the honor to speak to blue grass music legend Del McCoury, tell me about his latest album, Moneyland and the message in it.

Del McCoury is one of my musical heroes, and he is still one of the best musicians in the world at age 69. I think it means a lot that he has recorded this album Moneyland, and has really reached out to working Americans with this latest album — it’s a cause that is so neglected. And these times are certainly hard. And the stories he told about his days with Bill Monroe, and the early days on the road were incredible… What an honor to speak with Del!
 

Posted by amber | Filed Under x_ AFTERTHOUGHTS 

Interview with the Host–Decemeber 5th, 2008 Show

December 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment

I had the honor of turning the tables on Sound Authors host Dr. Kent Gustavson and interviewed him about the guests on last week’s show.
1)    You spoke to Jerry Caraccioli who wrote a book about the boycott on the Olympics in 1980. Since you were very young when this happened..what did you learn about this incredible historical event after speaking to him?

I had heard about this event while growing up — my dad and I are Olympics junkies… This year I had the television on NBC for just about every hour the Olympics were on! I think it’s also the best memory of my childhood — sitting and watching the Olympics with my father.

What was fascinating is that they looked back and found several athletes that had not been able to attend the Olympics, and it turned out that it was their only chance at being an Olympian! In Jerry’s research, he found that most of the athletes felt that the Boycott didn’t really work, and that it was a true shame that the athletes who had trained so hard wouldn’t be able to compete in the event that they had worked their whole lives towards!
 
2)     What insight about the American Legend John Henry did you learn after speaking to Scott Reynolds Nelson — author of Steel Drivin’ Man?

I love his book — I actually read it some time ago, and just came back to it before the interview. I had always thought that John Henry was a folk tale, but it turns out he did truly beat the steam drill, and then he had a heart attack and died. I love that the song was used by so many movements to express the power of man vs. the industrial machine… Very fitting for today’s world, in the talk about all the banks and the stock market…
 
3)    After speaking to bestselling author Katherine Neville, how has she incorporated her rich and diverse career into her novels?

It was simply fascinating speaking with a legend of fiction… She’s been in the industry for so many years… Her books take lives of their own — she talks about her novels as if they write themselves…

But I especially liked talking with her about her pet rat — I have 2 pet rats, and they are adorable creatures, and very smart! Her website has a wonderful little corner devoted to her late pet rat…
 
4)     Ken Peplowski was on the show and he is sometimes compared to Benny Goodman in terms of tone and virtuosity. Do you agree with that statement?

Certainly… Of course, there can’t really ever be another Benny Goodman — an innovator opens the door with great struggle… and whomever comes in that door after him doesn’t need to push as hard! He’s already done the hard work…

But what I really enjoy about Ken’s playing is his playfulness, and he truly captures the joy of big band music, as well as the melancholy, at times, of John Coltrane and some of the other ensemble musicians of the 60s… It was a great honor chatting with such a great jazz player!

I found most amusing that he said he needed 10-20 reeds per gig! I would have never thought that…

Posted by amber | Filed Under x_ AFTERTHOUGHTS 

Interview with the Host–November 28st, 2008 Show

December 1, 2008 | Leave a Comment

I had the honor of turning the tables on Sound Authors host Dr. Kent Gustavson and interviewed him about the guests on last week’s show.

1)You interviewed Nikki Giovanni who has been writing poetry for over 30 years. From speaking to her what did you learn about the children’s books she has written vs. the adult poetry?

What an honor to speak to poet Nikki Giovanni! She said something very interesting on the show. She said that there is no difference between children’s literature and adult literature. That resonated with me, as I am a lover of children’s books. And, last night, as I was sitting in Carnegie Hall, watching Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthrie give a concert, Pete Seeger talked about his work with children. He said much the same thing. He talked about “This Land is Your Land” and how it was never on the radio. It was in children’s songbooks. The children learned it, loved it, and it took the world by storm. Now everyone loves the song.

 In much the same way, Nikki Giovanni writes beautiful books for children, poetry for adults, and she loves them all. Her book for children called “Rosa” about her friend Rosa Parks won very prestigious awards.

2) After speaking to Nadia and her experience with 24 straight hours of Christian TV, did you gather any new insights on Christian media programming?

Nadia Bolz-Weber is a good friend, and it was a great pleasure to speak with her about her new book. I was surprised by her project, and intrigued. I could certainly not sit in front of 24 hours of all Christian programming, though I am a devout Lutheran. I share Nadia’s positions on homosexuality in the church, and am very liberal in my religious beliefs, and was surprised by some of the assumptions I had made about Christian television that she debunks in her book… And then, she confirmed my belief that Christian television is mostly about products, and I was intrigued by her statement in the book, “Do they really believe it?” — so often I feel like the religious personalities in the media are really serving their own careers, and that seems so opposite to what they preach!

 Nadia was a great guest, and I love the book.

3) You spoke to Dan Goldman who has some intriguing music. What is your take on his musical style?

Dan has a really gifted ear. His use of concrete sounds and electronics really sets off the timbre of his voice. And the string quartet arrangements on his new album are really stunning. I look forward to having him on the show again in February.

Posted by amber | Filed Under x_ AFTERTHOUGHTS 

Interview with the Host–November 21st, 2008 Show

November 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment

 I had the honor of turning the tables on Sound Authors host Dr. Kent Gustavson and interviewed him about the guests on last week’s show.

You interviewed award winning poet icon and author Amiri Baraka, who has written over 40 books.  Have you been an avid reader of his work?

I had never read his work before, but did a good bit of research before he came on the show. I was especially interested in his recent highly political work. What an honor to chat with him for half an hour! His readings on his website are extraordinary. I was especially intrigued by his associations with Coltrane, Monk and other giant jazz greats! Very cool.
 
You spoke to new author Carson Gilmore who is the author of “Boy on Fire” which is a novel that challenges the ‘ No Child Left Behind act’. Do you feel this is an issue that needs to be reevaluated and the media  needs to bring awareness too?

I think the new Obama administration will certainly make some needed changes to the No Child Left Behind act — maybe children will stop being left behind… It was enjoyable speaking to Gilmore — he seems to be a precocious and gifted young man.
  
Award winning fiddler Michael Cleveland was on the show, have you been a follower of his music?

I have listened to Michael Cleveland for years now, ever since seeing him as a little boy on a video called “Gather at the River” with some of the greats of bluegrass. There is a scene where Cleveland sits with Doc Watson and other greats of bluegrass music, and holds his own, though he was just 13 years old, a small blind boy… And now he has shared the stage with any great bluegrass musician worth mentioning! And he has so many awards he could fill up a house just with those… Truly one of the great fiddlers of our time, and he’s still only in his mid-twenties. A great honor speaking with him about his music.
 

Posted by amber | Filed Under x_ AFTERTHOUGHTS 

Interview with the Host–November 7th, 2008 Show

November 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment

I had the honor of turning the tables on Sound Authors host Dr. Kent Gustavson and interviewed him about the guests on last week’s show.

1)    What did you learn about being ‘filthy rich’ when you spoke to author Christopher Tennant? Can anyone achieve the “ranks” of being wealthy?

Christopher Tennant’s book is HYSTERICAL! Many books come across my desk, but seldom does a book accompany me to my armchair and to the proverbial john. This book kept me entertained for hours, when I should have been working. It’s written as a guidebook for the filthy rich, and is enticingly detailed in its descriptions! The voyeur in all of us comes out with the satirical looks at the true elite.  Anyone can get rich, but Tennant shows how to BE rich. This book deserves three thumbs up. 

 2)    You spoke to Kathleen Beisel author of ‘Eat Your Way to Good Natural Health’..she says that by changing the way we eat we can achieve ideal weight and health without drugs or pain. Did speaking to her inspire you to change diet and they way you look at food? I

 played the devil’s advocate on the show when I was speaking with her — telling her about my penchant for fries and junk food. But in actuality I’m a healthy fella, though I eat large quantities of healthy foods:) I think that there are certainly ways to significantly extend your life, and live a happier life, and Kathleen Beisel talked about many of those ways.  But seriously, she really thinks she can make asparagus tasty? I doubt it:) But I’m no big fan of asparagus… 

  3)    Warren Whitlock the author of “Twitter revolution” spoke to you about Twitter, the new social media. Has Twitter changed the way you do business and market online? If so how? 

Twitter will soon influence the way we all do business online, and the way we interact with one another. In the recent election, it was clear that the internet plays a larger role in our lives than anyone would ever have guessed a decade ago. Twitter is the new revolution, and Warren Whitlock is right in the center of the revolution. It was a blast to speak with him, and we will continue to twitter @warrenwhitlock and @drkent.  

  

4)    You had the honor of interviewing Dublin Based Elder Roche, who has a unique style of theatrical story telling. Tell me your thoughts on this interview.

Elder Roche has an extraordinary voice, and a sound that takes the “ordinary” and just perfectly flips it on its head, like a cake baked upside down, then turned over to reveal delightful crust and sweetness. His songs are somewhere between lullaby and metal, and fully contagious!

Posted by amber | Filed Under x_ AFTERTHOUGHTS