One of the aspects of EA that I stubbornly hang on to is that interviews or articles meant for the print version will NEVER end up online - either on this blog or a potential official site. I continue to adhere to that policy regarding the new content I currently have on file.
What I'm faced with right now is that I have some content that, quite frankly, I'm not sure what to do with. Basically, some interviews are fantastic and they are not in question whatsoever. Actually, many of them are destined for print for sure. But I do have a few others that were hastily done by the artist, they have nothing to promote, no real fan base to speak of (other than weird underground people like me), etc. I'm toying with the idea of putting some of this content online and not printing it in the magazine. I go back and forth with this idea, though, so it's not set in stone. But, it would solve a few issues - and it would also make my life easier.
I also realized today that it would make complete sense for me to write up my own thoughts on each interview as I do them - to give the readers some insight into each interview before it sees print. I'm going to start with the phone interviews that have been conducted. If I have time, I'll get into the email interviews as well.
The list of phoners so far:
*Vienna Teng
*Russ Freeman (The Rippingtons)
*Alex Webster (Cannibal Corpse)
*RJ Molinere (History Channel's "Swamp People")
*Jay Paul Molinere (History Channel's "Swamp People")
*Destin Pfaff (Bravo TV's "Millionaire Matchmaker")
*Billy Bretherton (A&E's "Billy The Exterminator")
For those of you who have all the issues, you know that only Vienna Teng and Russ Freeman have seen print so far. So, the next few issues are going to have some massively interesting interviews in them! And, as always, diversity is key for me - and we have that in spades as well.
Not to mention the email interviews that are completed as well! That list is too long to go through right now - but trust me, it's an amazing list of talented artists.
I'm going to work my way backwards, starting with the newest phone interview for this post and go from there.
***
For those who aren't familiar with Mr. Billy Bretherton, he is the star of A & E's hit reality show "Billy The Exterminator" - formerly The Exterminators (season 1 only before the title was changed). As you guessed, Billy works as an exterminator in Louisiana. He is the licensee of Vexcon - his vexation company, where he works with his younger brother Ricky, his mom Donny, his dad Bill Sr, and other employees.
Billy is known for his striking style - very rocker, rock star. Lots of leather, spikes, sunglasses, black on black, etc. What I can say is that Billy is the text book example of never judge a book by its cover.
The interview was scheduled for 10am CST (8am PST). When Mr. Billy said he could do the interview at this time, I wasn't sure if he meant 10am HIS time, or 10am MY time. So, I got up on Friday morning - one to check my email/phone to see if he had clarified which time it was and two to just be ready at 8am MY time just in case.
I sent off an email thinking it most likely meant the interview was at 10am MY time. I was wrong. Billy got back to me that he would be calling me in 5 minutes (8am PST). I got my self together and waited in the living room for his call.
I have no problem admitting this. EVERY phone interview I've done so far I've been nervous for. Some more than others but I've always been nervous. I check and recheck everything, I run through the questions in my head (even though they're printed out in front of me), I get in "interview" mode. Keep in mind - some of these interviews, like this one, have taken me nearly 9 months to land. I initially was working through Michael - Billy's attorney. Vienna's took months, Russ Freeman's was fairly quick as was Alex Webster's. RJ and Jay Paul's took a good month or so to schedule. Mr. Pfaff's was a few months - but that was due to the holiday's, etc. But, trust me when I say none of these happened overnight, next day, or even in a week. They take time, perseverance, and tenacity.
Mr. Bretherton called at 8am PST and off we went with the interview. Billy is a very well spoken man. He is an educated man having a degree in his field. He studies the things around his world, why things are the way they are, which absolutely dictates how he leads his life. A former member of our Armed Forces (Air Force), Billy and I talked quickly about the new season of the show and it's schedule change (Saturday's at 10pm) before moving to heavy metal.
Billy educated me on many historical aspects of the genre of music. That's right - he educated ME. Anyone that knows me knows how long I've been into metal. So, for someone to know something that is new to me, is saying a lot.
Our discussion also covered the rise of the show, his many appearances, cross promotion, other media ventures, and Billy outside of the show. As a fan of the show, it was fascinating to hear many details or points of view that I just did not consider until Mr. Billy brought them up or explained them. I won't spoil the interview by stating those things here but they are eye opening.
The interview was interrupted by a dead cell phone on Billy's end. A few minutes later, and we were back talking more and finishing up the interview. All together, the interview lasted more than an hour...about an hour and 15 minutes give or take.
I walked away from the interview having a new found respect for the show and more importantly the man. I already respected what he had done - but with this new found knowledge, that respect just grew. Mr. Billy Bretherton is a hard working man, who sees the big picture, and is enjoying his time in the spotlight - in a humble and respectful way. He was a true pleasure to interview. I can't wait for the rest of you to read his interview.
-Mark
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