MONROE - Some interviews you do as a reporter are more memorable than others.
Wednesday, I was able to interview Don McLean, who wrote and sang "American Pie," one of the most well-known songs of the 1970s. In fact, it's still played often on classic rock radio stations. There probably aren't many people under the age of 60 who haven't heard the song as least once.
McLean is coming to Monroe for a Sept. 26 concert at the Performing Arts Center and he made himself available for a phone interview Wednesday.
He was a down-to-earth guy who answered his own phone and said he didn't use public relations people to answer questions. He didn't rush through the interview, or sound as if it was a waste of time to talk to someone from a small-town newspaper. He patiently answered the questions and said "thanks," when the interview ended.
A few years ago, I was able to interview Mickey Rooney. I've seen him in movies for years and always enjoyed his acting. He was coming to the area and I was given the chance to interview him, albeit over the phone. It was quite exciting to interview a man considered to be one of the greatest actors of all time.
However, he seemed a little impatient to answer questions. Maybe he wasn't feeling well; maybe his press people had overscheduled him; maybe he was just tired. In any event, he didn't seem to be interested in an interview and rushed through it rather quickly.
McLean was the better interview.
Thanks, Don.
Wednesday, I was able to interview Don McLean, who wrote and sang "American Pie," one of the most well-known songs of the 1970s. In fact, it's still played often on classic rock radio stations. There probably aren't many people under the age of 60 who haven't heard the song as least once.
McLean is coming to Monroe for a Sept. 26 concert at the Performing Arts Center and he made himself available for a phone interview Wednesday.
He was a down-to-earth guy who answered his own phone and said he didn't use public relations people to answer questions. He didn't rush through the interview, or sound as if it was a waste of time to talk to someone from a small-town newspaper. He patiently answered the questions and said "thanks," when the interview ended.
A few years ago, I was able to interview Mickey Rooney. I've seen him in movies for years and always enjoyed his acting. He was coming to the area and I was given the chance to interview him, albeit over the phone. It was quite exciting to interview a man considered to be one of the greatest actors of all time.
However, he seemed a little impatient to answer questions. Maybe he wasn't feeling well; maybe his press people had overscheduled him; maybe he was just tired. In any event, he didn't seem to be interested in an interview and rushed through it rather quickly.
McLean was the better interview.
Thanks, Don.