Beyond the Mic with Sean Dillon

"Music brings us together like no other medium can."

Welcome John Ondrasik

We’re joined on the Starline by a hockey fan that loves to sing. He’s working with the Tullman family foundation for the “Music Matters Challenge” which offers a winner $10,000 and the opportunity to pick a music teacher to win three years of salary. We welcome the Grammy nominated John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting.

John, let’s go Beyond the Mic. You don’t have to sell me on the importance of a music teacher as my son is about to graduate and become one. How has music changed your life and how do you want it to change others?

Why is music education in danger now and one of the 1st things administrators want to cut?

The Rockin' 8:

It’s time for the Rockin’ 8, 8 random questions, answer with the first thing that comes to your mind. There is no Pressure.

1. Last L.A. Kings game you went to live?

2. You know piano, guitar, and harmonica. What instrument have you thought of learning next?

3. Best place on the UCLA campus?

4. Which song you’ve written didn’t get the love you thought it should?

5. You’ve given Ted talks and helped others, but what’s the one thing you just can’t do?

6. Favorite place you’ve done a show at?

7. One person you would like to work with you haven’t done so yet?

8. Will there peace in your time?

Sneaking in a couple more:

John, tell me about the teacher, other than your mother, that changed your life?

Why does music touch your soul?

One Big Question:

The music industry has changed since you began and you’ve changed the way you approach it. How has music changed for the better and the worse since you’ve started?

How can people get information about the Music Matters Challenge?

The Wrap:

His mom made him play Tony in West Side Story, wanted to play sax and wants you to take part of the Music Matters Challenge. John Ondrasik thanks for taking the time to talk with us today.

And that my friends is a Beyond the Mic Short Cut.

"Every moment of every day is precious. And every moment you don't spend living, really living, is a moment you spend dying. Life is action. We are what we do."

Welcome Brent Underwood

We’re joined on the Starline by an author, entrepreneur and owner of Cerro Gordo Mines. His book “Ghost Town Living” discusses living on a mountain above Death Valley with no running water, seven cats, six goats, maybe a ghost or two and a whole bunch of adventures. We welcome Brent Underwood.

Brent, let’s go Beyond the Mic. Before you moved to Death Valley, you dug through loans to see what underlying assets was worth and could some New York hedge fund would buy it, foreclose and turn it into a Chili’s. How did that job take your heart and soul?

1.4 million dollars, you bet your life savings on fires, floods, earthquakes and a ghost town. Why Brent?

“I was overcome by a profound sense of camaraderie. Belonging. True community. It was something I had never experienced.” How did the one moment of finding water in the mine change you forever?

The Rockin' 8:

It’s time for the Rockin’ 8, 8 random questions, answer with the first thing that comes to your mind. There is no Pressure.

1. Do you like to ski or snowboard?

2. Building a Ghost Down in California, a hostel in Austin, what draws you to a place?

3. Favorite song from “Pretty Lights”?

4. Last baseball game you attended was where?

5. Favorite place to relax at Florida State?

6. How long did it take to record your audiobook 900 feet underground?

7. How long did it take you to run the Cerro Gordo Silver 8 Mile Run?

8. Before you published your ground breaking masterpiece “Putting My Foot Down”, did you get a pedicure?

The Back Half:

You once said “People that can’t enjoy life can’t create places for people to enjoy life.” What bring you joy right now other than further progress on rebuilding Cerro Gordo?

How has people finding you online in social media / and the passion you transfer you have shared them to make you feel?

What’s the one thing you have to drive miles to get that you need?

One Big Question:

Every week you poured your deepest fears, hopes, dreams and nightmares online. And people responded. “Every moment of every day is precious, and every moment you don’t spend living, really living, is a moment you spend dying. Life is action. We are what we do.” What’s

your next dream?

Where can people find out more about Cerro Gordo?

The Wrap:

It took Brent Underwood three days to record his book 900 feet underground, loves to snowboard and wants you to read “Ghost Town Living”. Brent Underwood, thanks for taking the time to talk with us today.

And that my friends is a Beyond the Mic Short Cut.

"There's never been a single foot of film that I have shot with Denzel Washington that couldn't be right in the movie."

Welcome Ed Zwick

We’re joined on the Starline by film director, Oscar winner, producer and screenwriter. He has directed "Glory", "Legends of the Fall"among many films. His NYT Bestselling memoir written during COVID is “Hits, Flops and Other Illusions: My Fourtysomething Years in Hollywood.” We welcome author Ed Zwick.

Ed, let’s go Beyond the Mic. Your life is always going, full of activity, but during the pandemic, everything shut down. You couldn’t do anything and you, like myself, do not handle calm or breaks. How did writing this book help your mental state?

In this book you “ended up highlighting what moviemaking has taught me about life”. What lesson did you leave out?

How has this book freed you from the question directors ask themselves throughout their career of “Who am I”?

The Rockin' 8:

It’s time for the Rockin’ 8, 8 random questions, answer with the first thing that comes to your mind. There is no Pressure.

1. Does it scare you that your first film “Special Bulletin” from 1983 on a terrorist nightmare in Charleston seems almost potential today?

2. You’ve been moved by such skilled actors / actresses in your career. Which one of them shocked you the most?

3. Who taught you to be free in your creativity?

4. You started directing theater when you were 15. What’s your favorite Broadway musical of all time?

5. Which is your favorite black and white movie of all time?

6. You told people you were going to name drop in your book, but how many others could you have dropped?

7. Favorite topping on nachos?

8. How many notebooks do you have and do you want the world to see them when you are gone?

Sneaking in One More:

How has Hollywood changed you and how have you changed Hollywood?

What one tip would you tell yourself if you could go back in time when your career first began?

One Big Question:

If a young filmmaker takes your book as more than a guide but as a compelling manual, what one key thing do you want them to remember?

The Wrap:

Sidney Pollack taught him to be creative, loves A Chorus Line and wants you to read “Hits, Flops and Other Illusions: My Fourtysomething Years in Hollywood.” Ed Zwick thanks for taking the time to talk with us today.

And that my friends is a Beyond the Mic Short Cut

Step into the world of crime fiction with E.A. Aymar on Beyond the Mic. Unravel the secrets of 'When She Left' and delve deep into the mind of the author in this Beyond the Mic Short Cut.

Welcome E.A. Aymar

We’re joined on the Starline by a man who despises unpredictability but loves March Madness. The owner of the “Crime Fiction Works” newsletter. His latest thriller “When She Left” has been called “crime fiction at its finest.” We welcome E.A. Aymar.

E. A. , let’s go Beyond the Mic. From your book “If you kept a low profile and hid your crimes with even a slight degree of competence, no one would catch you.” You’ve written multiple dark thrillers. How easy and hard is it writing about crimes you’ve never committed, right?

You talk about imagination, why is writing both female and male perspectives challenging?

Lucky suffers from crying fits and panic attacks, how has his fight to rebuild a family life a theme you relate to?

The Rockin' 8:

He despises unpredictability, but alas it’s time for the Rockin’ 8, 8 random questions, answer with the first thing that comes to your mind. There is no Pressure.

1. Best thing about a dog?

2. When reading a book for Crime Fiction Works, what overarching theme touches you and makes you love a book?

3. Is there a character of yours you had to rewrite several times because they didn’t feel right? 

4. Favorite place to take your son to relax?

5. How many times did you have to promise your editor not to tinker with your book?

6. Which young writer inspires you today?

7. Favorite comic book of all time?

8. Place you want to go on a vacation?

Sneaking in one more:

When you got the first copy of your finished book in hand, what were your emotions?

One Big Question:

“Love is worth killing for” but what is writing worth to you?

The Wrap:

He loves playing video games with his son, vacationing Arizona and wants you to read “When She Left.” The talented E. A. Aymar thanks for taking the time to talk with us today,

And that my friends is a Beyond the Mic Short Cut.

We sat down with Steven McBee Jr., star of 'The McBee Dynasty: Real Life Cowboys' in this Beyond the Mic Short Cut. Hear how he navigates drama on and off the ranch. Find out why this show is more than just entertainment to him. Get an insider's look at life behind the camera Beyond the Mic.

Welcome Steven McBee Jr

We’re joined on the Starline by a cowboy you might have seen on “Joe Millionaire: For Richer or Poorer”. His latest adventure is “The McBee Dynasty: Real Life Cowboys” on Monday nights on USA and catch up on Peacock. We welcome Steven McBee Jr.

Steven, let’s go Beyond the Mic. There’s plenty of drama being a cowboy. How much harder is it when you have a camera in your face?

As the story unfolds, like many family farms, your family is teetering between survival and disaster. How do you take this platform,  of the show, and help others who may be struggling to survive and save farm and ranches?

What gives you passion on a daily basis on the ranch?

Steven, how vulnerable is it for you having people see your best and perhaps worst days?

The Rockin' 8:

It’s time for the Rockin’ 8, 8 random questions, answer with the first thing that comes to your mind. There is no Pressure.

1. Which one of your brothers are you the closest with?

2. Favorite cut of steak?

3. At what age did you learn to fly a helicopter?

4. Last Kansas City Chiefs game you saw in person and did they win?

5. You hate the word potential, what word do you love?

6. What was your 1st guitar and do you still have it?

7. Biggest fish you’ve ever caught?

8. Do you like to ski or snowboard?

The Back Half:

One thing he loves doing on the ranch that people might not know?

How has the show help your family become stronger?

“Everybody has 24 hours in a day. The difference between those that are successful and those that aren’t is how they are utilized.” So how many hours do you sleep on a daily basis?

Why was doing this project so important to you

Sneaking in a couple more:

One thing you love to do to taunt your brothers?

Why should people watch “The McBee Dynasty”?

One Big Question:

What’s the biggest problem people don’t understand about farm and ranching?

The Wrap:

He loves snowboarding, still has 1st guitar and wants you to watch “The McBee Dynasty: Real Life Cowboys” on Monday nights on USA and catch up on Peacock. Steven McBee Jr. Thanks for taking the time to talk with us today.

And that my friends is a Beyond the Mic Short Cut.