Music of the Heart World Tour: Interview with Rhys McGowan

Amazon ~ B&N 

Released 3/25/13 

Facebook Music of the Heart World Tour Event Link

Tour Schedule found Here

I met with Rhys McGowan from Runaway Train!!  

Here is my interview, enjoy! 

I arrive at the line of buses and find the one marked Runaway Train.  Not sure why I’m so nervous but I have to wipe my sweaty palms about six times feeling like a water spout is attached to each of them.  I knock on the door a few times lightly.  They must not hear me inside, so I knock a little louder pounding on it this time.  The door opens and I see AJ smile at me.  “Hey there, can I help you?” he says with his pearly whites shimmering.  My panties start to feel a little too constricting and I can feel something pooling down south.  Damn he’s gorgeous.  I hear someone clearing their throat and I snap out of my daydream – I was frolicking on the beach with AJ – shake my head and realize that I haven’t introduced myself yet or said a word.   “Oh, hi – My name is Aimee and I’m a blogger for Ravishing Romances and I’m here to meet with Rhys McGowan, the bassist for Runaway Train”  I giggle incessantly “But then you know that because you’re AJ Resendiz and he’s your band mate so why am I telling you who he is.”  

Oh dear Lord in Heaven, am I rambling again?  

“Come on in, please Rhys is waiting for you.”  AJ said with a smirk.  I walk up the stairs and find Rhys waiting for me at the kitchenette.  I sit down and gather my notebook and pencil and look up through my eyelashes at the other gorgeous man sitting across from me.  I’m sitting at a kitchenette with Rhys McGowan of Runaway Train.  I’m screaming internally – thank goodness he can’t hear it or he’d think I was nuts.  

“Ok, so let’s begin – I’m Aimee, I blog for Ravishing Romances and we’re so super excited to have you guest with us today on this blog tour.”  I tell him as I hold out my sopping wet hand – when I realize it’s all sweaty I quickly and embarrassingly wipe it off on my boob and blush when I realize what I’ve just done.  Mortified I ask him my first question and the interview begins.  He looks at me with a smile and winks like everything that I just did to embarrass myself was nothing. 

“Rhys, you are the bass player of Runaway Train – could you tell us all how you became the bass player for this great band?”  

Hi Aimee, it’s nice to meet you. *raises brow* Ravishing Romances huh? Like the old bodice rippers my mom used to sneak and read because for her society circle they were “trashy novels”? You now, where dudes were ravishing chicks with their pulsing members?

*winks* Just kidding. Lemme get back to the question.

I was getting my Pre-Law degree at Emory University in Atlanta when I met Jake at an Open Mic night at a local coffeehouse. I was scoping out the music scene as a way to alleviate some of the stress of school and my parents riding my ass all the time. Jake invited me to audition for the bassist in his band. He and AJ had been playing in a band since high school, but they’d lost two members. They’d met up with Brayden.

“What person or which band would you say is your biggest influence?”

Even though it’s Brayden who has the serious jonesing for Paul McCartney, he’s a killer bassist. There’s also Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers that I really admire. And John Paul Jones of Led Zeplin.

“What do you define as your greatest moment with Runaway Train?”

I think when we won our first Grammy for Best New Artist was the highlight. Each new #1 that we get on the Billboard Top 100 is pretty freakin’ amazing.

“What would you say is a key component of the band on and off stage?”

Brotherhood. You have to like and love the dudes you play with, or it would never work. We live in close quarters for months at a time, so if you don’t get along, it would be hell.

“What were your initial thoughts when you all found Abby on the bus running from Jake and the back bedroom?”

*snickers* Well, it all happened so fast. I mean, one minute I’m dead to the world sleeping in my roost, and then the next there is a chick screaming her head off. When I found out she’d kneed Jake in the balls, I knew I was going to like her. He’s so cocky and used to thinking anything with a vagina wants to bang him. It was quite refreshing to see him crash and burn.

I giggle because deep down, I also kind of enjoy the fact that Jake got kneed in the balls.  

“Did you wish it was you that Abby would’ve been attracted to instead or are you happy for Jake and Abby?”

Sure, I wanted her to be attracted to me. She’s a beautiful, sexy girl, both inside and out. But at the time, I couldn’t give her what she would have wanted—a relationship, monogamy. The more time I spent with her though, the more platonic my like/love for her became. I look on her like a little sister now. I’m happy for Jake because he’s met his match in a girl, and she’s been able to tame him. I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready to settle down, but I want it to be someone like Abby—someone who could challenge me emotionally, spiritually, intellectually.

Note to self, he likes chicks like me.  Good to know.  

“What do you look forward to the most before going out on tour?”

Hanging out with the guys and being down and dirty. When I go home to Savannah, a lot is expected of me.

“Are you proud of what Runaway Train has accomplished so far and what does the future hold for you?”

I’m very proud. We’ve come so far in the last four years.When I gave up law school, my parents disowned me for a while. They thought I was throwing away my future. But when the band took off and we won our first Grammy, they started coming around. They’re still not real thrilled their only son is a rocker, rather than a lawyer, but they’ll live! Well, as long as I marry a suitable girl and have a few kids to carry on the family name.

God, is it wrong to want you to pick me? 

I think the future is very bright. I love that we’ve got Jacob’s Ladder on board for the tour. They’re in a great place for even more crossover success with Abby at the helm.

“What was the first guitar you ever owned and who gave it to you?”

It was a Gibson Thunderbird IV, and I bought it myself when I was thirteen with some inheritance from my grandfather. I’d been forced to play in the orchestra at my private school, so the cello to the bass wasn’t that different.

“Do you prefer playing acoustic or plugged in?”  

There’s nothing like the adrenaline rush of a live show with the amps blaring, but I also love the intimacy of an acoustic performance. It’s like you’re stripped bare in front of your audience.

Um, did he just say stripped bare?  Why am I suddenly imagining him naked now.  

“Okay, well I know there are so many other fantastic blogs out there wanting to showcase you all on their stops, so that’s really all I had for you today.  Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me today Rhys, I’ve really enjoyed it.” I hold my hand out for him to shake again, much more confident now because I feel like I know Rhys McGowan a little better now.  I smile as he takes my hand and holds it up to his mouth kissing my knuckles.  I think I’m swooning.  

Thank you so much for interviewing me, Aimee. No need to rush off now. *winks with a sexy grin*

I giggle and smile shyly.  Climb my way out of the booth and exit the bus with a little more appreciation for a rockstar.  

If you'd like to learn more about Author Katie Ashley, follow her on Facebook, twitter and her website here.  

Follow Enchanting Ella on Twitter and like her Facebook Page.  

Still curious?  Read her bio.

Character Interview: Lady Vesta from "The Virgin Huntress" (by Victoria Vane)

*Victoria Vane is up for The Romance Review's 5 Heart Sweetheart.  Vote here.

Lady Vesta and Victoria Vane will answer your questions!  Submit them in the comment section below.

In April 2012, author Victoria Vane released her first book in The Devil DeVere series, A Wild Night’s Bride, depicting the story of Sir Edward Chambers and his beloved Phoebe.  Excited to introduce his new bride, Sir Edward rushes Phoebe to meet his daughter Lady Vesta and her godmother Baroness Diana Palmerston-Wriothesley.

Ms. Vane has now released her second book, The Virgin Huntress.  The virgin and huntress is Lady Vesta - and she hates her father's wife.  Jealous, both Lady Vesta and Baroness Diana travel to London where they meet Captain Hewett DeVere.   Despite Captain Hewett's attraction to her godmother, Vesta has decided she wants him for herself.

This is her interview.

Q:        Lady Vesta thank you for seeing me this afternoon.  I know you are probably eager to ride your horse.

Oh yes, I do love to ride! It's my favorite pastime, you know. Indeed, Papa sent my two favorite horses to London with me. No doubt it was just an effort to get back into my good graces, but I really don't know if I can ever forgive him for what he did!  Have you ever heard such a daft thing as marrying someone you've only known for three days? And Phoebe is barely five years older than I am!

I'm sorry! I seem to have digressed.  I never ride in the afternoons you see, not in Hyde Park anyway because the fashionable world does not approve of real riding. No, I  prefer the mornings before anyone is about. It's the only time a girl can take a proper gallop. It's also the time that the Dragoons exercise! I promise you have never seen such a magnificent sight as the 17^th Light Dragoons on parade! Their uniforms alone are swoon-worthy. Can I tell you a secret, Lady Sallie? It was on one of these early morning rides that I first espied Captain Hewett DeVere, the man I intend to marry.

Q:        Three days is short.  How long have you known Captain DeVere and when did he voice his intention to marry you?

Three days is ludicrous for my Papa to take a wife! As for Captain DeVere, I met him the day before yesterday and although he hasn't exactly proposed, I'm certain I can make him love me…if only I could just get him away from my godmother Diana. After all, how can he even notice my existence when she is stealing his attention all the time? It's not fair at all! She's already been wed once. Don't you think she should give other girls a chance?

Q:     Captain DeVere recently escorted you and Baroness Diana on a horseback ride through the park and you had an accident.  You fainted - and in Captain DeVere’s arms no less.

Oh yes! It was quite terrifying! I lost my reins when my horse spooked for no apparent reason and bolted through the park. I don't know what I should have done had not the gallant Captain Hew rescued me. It was just in the nick of time too as Artemis (that's my favorite mare) had taken it into her head to jump the hedgerow into Kensington Gardens! The entire ordeal was such a shock that I took a faint and didn't recover for over an hour!

Q:        Terrifying and surprising, especially since you’re an accomplished rider.  Did your accident have anything to do with Captain DeVere’s interests in the Baroness? 

Well… um…er…I'm not certain how I can really answer that question… suffice to say Aunt Di has been completely monopolizing Captain Hew since we came to London.

Q:      Tell me about your maid, Polly.  She seems to be a handful offering her opinions on how you should act to become a lady.

Polly? Why on earth would you ask about Polly? And she's not really my maid anyway. She's my godmother's maid and thinks she knows everything! She shows me no respect at all and she's too saucy by half! My godfather said it's because she's borrowed and borrowed maids are always an inferior lot. I would have to agree with him, but he and I seem to be of one accord on many things. I'm so very fortunate to have such an understanding godfather as Lord DeVere. He seems to be the only one who ever takes my side.

Q:        Does Lord DeVere take your side regarding your pursuit of Captain DeVere?  Do you think he has ulterior motives, like perhaps wanting Baroness Diana for himself?

Uncle Vic and Aunt Di? (laughs) They are like chalk and cheese! I can't imagine them together at all! But then again Uncle Vic would certainly be a better match for Aunt Di than  Hew. No, Aunt Di and Captain Hew would not suit at all! Besides, I just know he will be mad for me… if I can only just get him alone…

Q:      I’m certain he will.  So how are you going to get him alone? Won't that force his hand?

Force? (makes a face)  I'm sure I don't know what you mean by that!

A real lady is NEVER forceful. No, a lady must always be complaisant and demure, at least that's the peal Polly is always ringing over my head!

But then again, perhaps under the right… conditions… Captain Hew might be persuaded.

Curious how Vesta "makes an utter fool of herself over a man that's far beyond her reach?"  Get your copy of The Virgin Huntress today.  Want more TVH?  Read Sallie's review! 

Watch A Wild Night's Bride's book trailer.

A lover of history and deeply romantic stories, Victoria combines these elements to craft romantic historical novels and novellas for a mature reading audience. Her writing influences are Georgette Heyer for fabulous witty dialogue and over the top characters, Robin Schone , Sylvia Day, and Charlotte Featherstone for beautifully crafted prose in stories with deep sensuality, and Lila DiPasqua for creative vision in melding history with eroticism. Ms. Vane also writes critically acclaimed romantic historical fiction as Emery Lee.