Interview with Journalist Bill Bowman

Bill Bowman was born in a military hospital in New Jersey and grew up in an "army brat" but the most exotic place he lived was Long Branch, New Jersey. When he was about 12 he moved all the way to its Northern neighbor, Oceanport. It was then that we met and became friends. He attended Christian Brothers Academy and we lost touch for many years. He had gone on to Livingston College and a career in journalism, which ultimately lead to a job reporting for the Asbury Park Press, one of the major newspapers in the area. After his tenure with the Press he went on to found his own subscription-based on-line news outlet called The Franklin Reporter & Advocate. He is married to a successful jazz singer, PJ, and together they are quite active in animal rescue causes. When Bill is not working, he can be found cycling – whether for exercise or to raise money for charity – or sitting in the audience listening to PJ sing.

Bill has also written two (2) non-fictions books - Savage Lies, The Half-Truths, Distortions and Outright Lies of a Right-Wing Blowhard and Murderer of the Year. Savage Lies gets behind the comments of right-wing radio host Michael Savage (nee Weiner) and exposes the lies he uses to support his positions. Murderer of the Year brings you behind the scenes of an investigation and trial that rocked the small, upscale borough of Metuchen, New Jersey.

Personal Questions

What is your favorite childhood memory?

My favorite childhood memory would have to be when the physics finally kicked in, and I could ride my bike without training wheels. We were living on Fort Monmouth at the time, so I was maybe 5 or 6 years old, and I can distinctly remember my Dad holding the back of my seat and steadying me as I pedaled. Then, suddenly, his hand was gone! I wobbled for a few seconds or maybe a minute, but whatever mystical forces come into play when your body finds its balance did, and I remember looking back over my shoulder and seeing him with this huge smile on his face.

What are the five foods you can’t live without?

1) Spaghetti
2) Meatballs
3) Hot Dogs
4) Delicious Orchards’ apple cider doughnuts
5) Pizza
God, I’m healthy. Lol.

What’s the best advice anyone has given you and who gave it to you?

Various people over the years: You can only do the best you can do.
(Joe: great advice)

What is your favorite thing to do when you aren't working?

Listening to music, preferably jazz and blues, but I also like classical, R&B and good old-fashioned rock ‘n roll. And sleep. Sleeping is always good.

If you could spend an hour with any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?

I would love to spend an hour with Barack Obama, and pick his brain about what he’s endured the past eight years.
(Joe: that would be interesting, he seems like a genuinely nice guy to sit and have a beer with.)

Professional Questions

Why journalism?

Because I suck at math. I’ve always been a nosey person. When I was little, living in Long Branch, my friends and I used to count the blasts from the fire house horn to see where a fire was located, and then we’d shoot over on or bikes to see what was going on. I dabbled in it a little in high school – one of my English teachers was a reporter for the Asbury Park Press – but didn’t really get the bug until college. I enjoy bringing things to light and being able to help people, in the limited capacity that I have to do so.

Can you explain your style in 10 words or less?

Laid-back.

What is your greatest journalistic achievement?

In 1997, I wrote a series of articles that led to the establishment of an $8 million program in the state to provide every fire department and fire academy in New Jersey with a thermal imaging camera. Not many had them at the time because they cost about $25,000, but they are life-saving tools. The legislation – the first of its kind in the country – was created with the help of then-Assemblymen Christopher “Kip” Bateman and the late Peter Biondi, and signed by Gov. Christine Whitman. I remember how proud I felt at the ceremony where the first batch of cameras were presented to fire companies at the Middlesex County Fire Academy. A similar bill was introduced in the US Congress, but never went anywhere.
(Joe: that is certainly something to be proud of)

If you could work for any newspaper, past or present, which would it be?

I think it would have been cool to work for one of the New York City newspapers during the 30s and 40s, when newspapers were king and the competition was intense.

Where do you draw inspiration from when you write and what’s your favorite part about the process?

My inspiration comes from knowing people depend on me to tell them what’s going on. My favorite part about the process is when it’s over. Lol.

Bonus question:

What are your Top 5 "Deserted Island" albums?

1. “Dreams Are Meant For Two” by PJ Parker
2. “The Rising” by Bruce Springsteen
3. “The Seeger Sessions” by Springsteen
4. “Back to Black” by Amy Winehouse
5. Cast album of Les Miserables.

To learn more about Bill and his books, please check out the links below.
The Franklin Reporter & Advocate - http://franklinreporter.com/
Bill Bowman - http://bbowman.net/
Savage Lies, The Half-Truths, Distortions and Outright Lies of a Right-Wing Blowhard - http://bbowman.net/?page_id=90
Murderer of the Year - http://bbowman.net/?page_id=95

Interview with Food Blogger Carol Taylor

Carol Taylor, aka Caz, is a retired Civil Servant from England who is now living among the rubber trees in Thailand. She now spends her time pursuing her passions – cooking and writing, sometimes even writing about cooking! She is working on a novel and is getting ready to publish a second collection of short stories with some of her writing friends. In her circle of writing friends, Lola, Sophia and Ethel, she is the whimsical one they call Roxy (don’t ask, she would tell me.) Carol had told her daughter, a cancer survivor, that she would run a marathon and she did; she has the medal to prove it but don’t expect to see her line up again anytime soon.

I have enjoyed reading Carol’s posts but it can be difficult to do on an empty stomach because everything looks so good. As I write this I am looking at her Apple Pie and thinking about her Alcoholic Hot Chocolate. She also has written about the differences in what foods and ingredients are called – You Call It What! and What do you call it???? are terrific reads. Look below for a link to her Niume profile and other writings.

Now, it is my pleasure to give unto you – Carol Taylor in her own words!

Personal questions

What is your favorite childhood memory?

Red Shoes and what girl doesn't at some point want a pair of red shoes. I was quite young 11 ish and was out with my mum for sturdy school shoes...I wanted these red ones so every pair she made me try on..hurt me too big , too small anything. She got fed and marched me home. Telling my dad could take me to get school shoes. My dad was the authoritarian and stood no nonsense from us girls. He took me , asked me what pair I wanted...Me..little madam pointed to the RED ones. So we tried them on...a perfect fit and he bought them. My first pair of Red shoes. Looking back I am sure he got an ear bashing...lol
(Joe: great story. Reminds me of when I was 13 or 14 - I wanted red Puma Clyde suede sneakers. They cost $25 and my parents refused to buy them. I cut grass all summer and used some of the money to buy the sneakers before school started.)

What are the five foods you can’t live without?

Chillies, of couse..lol. Thai basil, Rice, Indian curry and coconut juice.

What’s the best advice anyone has given you and who gave it to you?

My best friend Jilly who sadly is no longer here. Once told me never to forget that I was ME before I was a mum. I love my kids and would do anything for them but I also leave time for me..to cook, to write and not so long ago my big son told me I had always been his inspiration and that's why he had got to where he was and he flies high and is also a great dad. Now I am blubbing..your fault...lol
(Joe: that is great advice. Once we become parents it seems we tend to lose "us" and we shouldn't.)

What is your favorite thing to do when you aren't cooking?

Writing...My passion and I always say my fingers are an extension of my mouth...I just write and walking i love...when was younger I used to run to free my mind but not now....

If you could spend an hour with any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?

Steven Hawking...what wonderful mind that man has..I would have so many questions about the universe..

Professional questions

Why cooking?

Why not??? I love to cook...I also like to know what is in my food so I think that ultimately drives me. I buy no processed food I make practically everything but without being obsessed because sometimes you just can't make it ..so then if I really want it's moderation.

Can you explain your style in 10 words or less?

I just cook from the heart.

What is the best thing you ever cooked?

I think you best ask them that eat my food that question..lol.. I can tell you the worst...Many of those...like the time I first used garlic and when it said clove I used the bulb...but I learnt.
(Joe: that's funny.... with that much garlic you don't have to worry about vampires for a long, long time!)

What is one thing, culinarily, that you wish you could do better, and why?

Beautiful presentation...When I see some of the dishes and how beautifully they are presented...My food..I get lots compliments on taste but would love to serve a dish where as it approached the table everyone went WOW...just by looking...You did ask..lol

Where do you draw inspiration from when you cook and what’s your favorite part about the process?

I used to be recipe driven and living here has taught me to be ingredient driven...so most times I look at what I have and cook..I substitute if Ihaven't got an ingredient and I taste and I can now taste a dish and tell you all that is it or most.....So I am inspired by Taste I suppose.

Bonus question:

What are your Top 5 "Deserted Island" albums?

Oh..That's a big ask so many wonderful albums and my taste is diverse but here goes.

• Paolo Nuttini...These Streets.
• Rod Stewart...Still the same... A great rocker
• The Rat Pack...Sammy Davis J, Frank Sinatra and James Dean.
• Handels Water music...I have old single and it was the only music my daughter would go to sleep for and she drove her brother mad when she able to put it on for herself..lol
• Lastly ohhhh a Bit of Buddy and Elvis

I hope you enjoyed getting to know Carol better. As promised you will find links to more of Carol's posts and writings below.

• Carol can be found on Niume - https://niume.com/profile/42183#!/posts
• Retired? No one told me! - https://blondieaka.wordpress.com/
• Follow Carol on Twitter - @TheRealCarolT

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All photos are the property of Carol Taylor and may not be used without written permission.

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Interview with Songwriter Dave Evans

Dave is a friend of more than 10 years and, with this interview, we have come full circle. You see, we met when Dave called me in for a job interview in 2006 for a programming job he was looking to fill. It was a strange interview because it was more like a couple friends having coffee than a job interview and it turned out we became good friends. We held many of the same beliefs, professionally, which led to my being hired but it was music that we most talked about.

We are both fans of the music of the 1960’s – The Beatles, in particular – and we had many discussions during the day and at lunch. While we both lived through Beatlemania and have our memories, Dave is older than I so he has more vivid memories and from a different perspective. It is always interesting to talk to someone who remembers what it was like and when Dave talks about those days you can see the excitement is almost as fresh as it was more than 50 years ago.

Despite all of the talk of music, it was months before I discovered that Dave wrote music. If memory serves me my introduction to Dave’s music was “Mary’s Song”. I instantly connected with the song and it remains my favorite Dave Evans original. I have heard the song come from rough, fast song to a love ballad that really captivates you. I have been fortunate to experience the songwriting process through the last 10 years – sometimes I get an excited text message about song that is nothing but a new chord progression and a few minutes later I am listening to a rough recording. There are other times when the lyrics come and I get a recording of his working through the melody. I am always impressed by the end result – he has a talent that many of us would love to have – but I think what is really interesting, for me, is his enthusiasm throughout the process. His songs are his children (though he has more than a few) and he nurtures them as such, always worried if he is doing them justice or if he could have done something better. If you ask me, he has served his children well – both human and music – and they represent him well.

Personal questions

What is your favorite childhood memory?

Wow, that's a tough one because there were a few... I'd have to say the first time I saw the Beatles on Ed Sullivan. I was with my dad and we lived on the fifth floor. As soon as the show was over I ran to the window and saw three of my friends down on the corner yelling up to me to come down and join them... I was not allowed to go out on Sundays nights at that time so I just turned around and gave my dad that sad look you give when you really want something... He seemed to realize that this was a special time and told me to go down and see my friend BUT to only stay right on the corner so he could see me from the window... It was awesome cause as soon as I got to the corner the four of us formed our Band and spent the rest of the night (1 hour) thinking of names for the band. Every car that passed from Mustang to Montego was considered... The funny thing is I don't remember what name we decided on but I'll never forget the experience... And yes, we did play a few gigs...

What are the five foods you can’t live without?

I love so many foods it's scary BUT I have to admit I'm addicted to Potato Chips... I can give up cookies, Chocolate and Ice Cream but I just can't seem to give up the Chips... I LOVE Prime Rib when I go out to eat and Veal Parmesan when in an Italian restaurant but I can do without them...
(Joe: I think potato chips are the downfall for most of us – I don’t think there is ever a bag that is “big enough”)

What’s the best advice anyone has given you and who gave it to you?

My Dad always gave me good advice. He would tell me to judge people by what they do and not by what they say and boy has that proven to be true... He would also tell me that money wasn't everything but to remember I had to pay the bills and Shoprite didn't accept Titles or job descriptions, only money.
(Joe: that’s great advice, all of it.)

What is your favorite thing to do when you aren't making music?

Another good question... I love reading, playing on the computer, learning new things and meeting new people... In the summer I LOVE being on the beach. I keep my umbrella and beach chair in the car all summer so I'm ready to go at a moment’s notice... I like getting there early in the morning and staying till at least 1 or 2 in the afternoon, then I walk the boardwalk at night. It is fascinating to me all the different people and couples you see when you walk the boardwalk.

If you could spend an hour with any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?

Only ONE!!! Musically I guess it would be John Lennon because I always liked his music and songwriting... I would LOVE to have both John AND Paul in the same room and talk about each of their songs and what they were thinking when they wrote them... I would also love to compare my songwriting process with theirs and see if we do it the same way... History wise I would love to sit down with Abraham Lincoln and talk about what he was feeling during the Civil War and how he arrived at some of the decisions he made during those times. I would also like to ask the "Founding Fathers" how they feel about where our country is going and if it's where they thought it would be when they first formed it... I know, I cheated...
(Joe: interesting choices – not sure we are ready to hear from our “Founding Fathers”, though)

Professional questions

Why music?

I love music and can't picture my life without it. The funny thing is I always wrote words, I guess you would call them poems, with a musical idea in my head BUT I never actually put real music to them. When my late wife Mary passed away I started playing the guitar again (after stopping when I was 13), probably to take my mind off of her passing. One of the first songs I wrote was Mary's Song which I still have trouble performing live without getting emotional. Over time my music changed from sad to less sad to sometimes happy... It's been 13 years now and hopefully my music has evolved enough where it has many moods and generates many different feelings.
(Joe: I can tell you; YES, your music (and recording) has evolved many-fold over the intervening years and continues to evolve. Dave & I collaborated on a video for "Mary's Song" that you can view on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLCSDKycY10)

Can you explain your music in 10 words or less?

I can do it in one, FEELINGS... I write songs to either generate feelings or express my feelings. It is my way of saying things I have trouble saying without music. Every song I write is saying something, either explicitly or buried somewhere within it. They are not all heavy messages or statements BUT if they are not saying something I won't write them.

What is your greatest musical achievement?

Every song I write... I always considered myself a songwriter and not a performer so to me it's the song that's important, not my performance of it. I just hope I do them justice when I record them. Every song I write has something to say, I just hope I say it in a way that other people hear the message.

If you could open up for any artist, past or present, who would it be?

Obviously The Beatles but we all know that can't happen so maybe Elton John or Bob Seger. How about Tom Petty or Train...? The Eagles would be cool too. Can I throw in Elvis and Buddy Holly???

Where do you draw inspiration from when you write/play/sing songs and what’s your favorite part about the process?

I usually start off by writing about a situation I'm experiencing or feeling. Sometimes I stay with that throughout the entire song or I stray into other things to expand the experience. Other times I picture myself in a different situation and write about how I would feel being there. An example of the latter is "Life Wasted" where I was writing about a man who only cared about money and not his family. I was trying to write about how he would feel when he was older and had no family around him. I was putting myself in that situation because I have a very close relationship with my family and had to guess how I would feel. Yes, it's all about feelings for me.

Bonus question:

What are your Top 5 "Deserted Island" albums?

WOW only 5!!! OK, Bod Seger's Live Bullet, Cat Stevens Tea for the Tillerman, Led Zeppelin's Led Zeppelin II, Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and The Beatle's White Album... The reason I picked the White Album instead of Abbey Road, Revolver or Rubber Soul is because there are more songs on it... hahaha

Dave has an Artist page on BandCamp where you can listen to more of his music, as well as purchase songs. His page is https://daveevanssolo.bandcamp.com/ and I encourage you to check it out as soon as you finish reading this post.

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All photos are copyright Alexander DiMauro All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at ajdimauro@gmail.com

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