Well, that's disappointing

We started September with some great news. Unfortunately, we're ending it with some not-so-great news. It doesn't look like Gov. Sam Brownback is going to be agreeing to an interview for "Out Here In Kansas."
As a journalist who prides himself on being fair, this drives me nuts. Brownback should have a chance to defend himself after being labeled a homophobic by the Kansas City Star, among other media outlets. Our team has been trying since February to get his team warmed up to the idea. (Here's me doing just that earlier this year.)

No distractions in Dallas

For reasons that aren't particularly interesting, it looks like I am going to be stuck at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport all afternoon and all evening.
The good news is, I really don't have any excuses not to hunker down and concentrate on "Out Here In Kansas." This screenplay is a constant work in progress (and no doubt it will change even more after our shoot in Iowa in a few days).
So have a great week, dear reader, and here's hoping I am back in Wichita sometime tonight.

Live with the local legends

If you happen to near a radio Friday afternoon, I'd like to invite you to listen to what should be an interesting interview.
Bob Knight, the former seven-term Wichita mayor, and local funnyman Bucky Walters have invited me on their radio show to promote "Out Here In Kansas."
The show will air from 5-6 p.m. CST Friday, Sept. 25 on KQAM, 1480 AM. It is live and listeners are invited to call in at (316) 721-8255.
Couple of things here.
One, earlier this year I convinced Bob to be in my silly little skit for Wichita Gridiron. (That's him in the angelic white robe. Bucky, in the dress, has been performing in Gridiron for more than 30 years.)
Two, if there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that this interview could spin off in different directions.
So there's that. But it promises to be fun.

Hitting the road

I realize I haven't written much on this blog since the Melissa Etheridge announcement, and I guess that's because I've sidetracked with planning.

It looks like I'm going to be gone for the next three weekends, including a much-anticipated trip to Mason City, Iowa, which is where Burt lives and practices medicine.

After that will be a trip to Kansas City for an interview that's been out of our grasp for months. Stay tuned, dear reader.

They said it

“Wait. Have you ever seen Jaws? Have you seen Star Wars?”

- My sometimes-sarcastic editor Kenny Linn, who was incredulous that I’d never seen the Steven Spielberg classic "Saving Private Ryan."

Back down to Winfield

Our editor Kenny wanted to get B roll with scenes from a football game, so last night we trekked back down to Southwestern College. Here he is taking a break at halftime.
One thing about college football in Kansas. When the season starts, it's usually in the 90s. When it ends, you usually need a coat.

Yep, we got a rock star

I’ve been waiting a long time to announce this, and here it is: Grammy Award winner Melissa Etheridge is going to be part of our movie “Out Here In Kansas.”

This is huge news. Etheridge has been a household name since her album "Yes I Am," which featured the hits “Come To My Window” and “I’m The Only One.” Even before that, she rocked my world with “Somebody Bring Me Some Water.” I never realized Melissa was gay until her unforgettable cameo on the groundbreaking episode of “Ellen,” but I always knew she is a proud native of Leavenworth, Kansas.

(By the way, if you haven’t checked out Melissa’s new album, “This is M.E.,” you need to. Publications like Rolling Stone gave it stellar reviews, and the whole album just sounds great.)

How is Melissa going to be involved? Well, I can’t give away everything. Let’s just say she’s every bit as cool as I’d hoped. (If there was ever any doubt, check out this tribute she did to Janis Joplin at the 2005 Grammies ... as she was battling breast cancer.)