THE GRAND NATIONAL INTERVIEW: THE SEAL KING OF YACHT ROCK!

That’s right. On the heels of Yacht Rock 11 and it’s big premiere in New York on December 27th, I decided I was going to get bold. I was going to ask co-creator, writer, and Michael Freakin’ McDonald himself, J.D. Ryznar if he would take the time to answer a few questions.

And luckily for me, he said yes. So I proudly present, a championship caliber interview.

Anyway…He we go.

The Grand National Interview…J.D. Ryznar.

Tell us about the strong gale winds that gave birth to Yacht Rock? 
We kept losing the monthly LA fake television contest Channel101 (channel101.com), so we decided to do a project based on something we all love: really smooth music. 

What’s your favorite episode of the original Channel 101 run? 
All of them.

Tell us about what led to getting the group back together for Yacht Rock 11? 
We always talked about continuing the series, but I was always busy with real work.  We were invited to do a screening at the Knitting Factory in New York on December 27th.  I was tired of showing the same, tired old crap anyone can see online.  Also, I’m on strike (WGA) and instead of sitting around feeling sorry for myself and my slowly draining bank account, I decided to get the old band back together.

We’re really excited that you decided to make an 11th episode, can you give us a sneak peek of what’s to come? No.

Shucks. Moving on, on a scale of 1 to 8, how awesome is Hollywood Steve? 6

In a no-holds barred Texas Death Match of smooth, who wins…Boz Scaggs or Christopher Cross?
Christopher Cross.

Besides smooth music, what are your influences? 
Plays of Sam Shepard and Bertolt Brecht, Films of David Lynch and Woody Allen, 70’s Burt Reynolds movies, etc.

Do you do any live improv or sketch shows, and if so where? 
Improv and sketch comedy is for jerks and nerds!  Channel 101 is the only place to show off and develop your comedy skills.

Are there any upcoming projects that you’re working on? 
I wrote a movie for Jason Lee at Warner Brothers.  It’s called Krater, about a hard rocking bar band from the seventies who takes on a new lead singer and gets signed.  Then, the new lead singer starts writing these pussy ballads and the band gets hugely popular, despite the fact they’re playing music they hate.   Its a great project that I love, but it seems to be on the slow track at Warner Brothers, so who knows if it will ever get made.  Hopefully the stars will align and we’ll get to see this on the big screen.

We’d like to thank J.D. for taking the time out to answer our questions. And if you are going to be in or around the New York Area on December 27th, there are tickets still available to Yacht Rock 11’s World Premiere. You can order them online at Knitting Factory New York.

But before I make My Leave, more J.D. Ryznar awesomeness to kick flavor in your ear.

AWESOME FAILED CHANNEL 101 PILOT: NEW MacGYVER!

MICHAEL McDONALD IS NOT AN IRRELEVANT JOKE!

Thanks again to J.D. Ryznar for taking the time out to answer the questions, and we will see you later.

Andrew!

Previous Interviews!
Team Awesome Rocks!