#009 Neil Pond: Award Winning Journalist, Managing Editor of Parade Magazine

Live2cre8

Neil Pond is an award-winning entertainment journalist, film critic, and the managing editor of Parade magazine. He previously served as editor in chief of American Profile magazine and as editorial director of the nation’s two leading country music publications, Country Weekly and Country Music. Neil has been an on-air commentator for CNN, the BBC, VH-1 and CMT, and is a recipient of the Media Honors Award, the highest journalistic decoration bestowed by the Country Music Association. Neil is voting member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, and his weekly movie reviews appear in national newspaper syndication, on Rotten Tomatoes and on his website neilsentertainmentpicks.com. When he's not wearing his magazine or movie hats, he plays drums in the 80s cover band Max Headroom. In this episode, we cover a ton of ground including: • Interviewing Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn as his first professional assignment • Why there was pushback about doing music videos for some Country music artists • The Oak Ridge Boys’ unique choices in swimming attire on the French Riviera • How journalism has changed over the years, and the rise of Entertainment Journalism • Visiting with Hank Williams Jr. in Montana • The types of questions that are important to flesh out in an interview • Garth Brooks instructing on the proper way to tuck in a shirt • Being offered your very first joint from Willie Nelson, having Tammy Wynette make biscuits for you, and unusual sightings of Chuck Norris in Randy Travis’ driveway • And SO much more!