85. interviews.
-Howard Stern's show is one of the places where great interviews begin to highlight the many things stars have to offer. Time and again, Howard Stern has broken down the walls of success around people. His popularity has been growing day by day, thanks to his storytelling and magnetic charm, drawing many to follow his program. Starting on the radio and then moving to television, it's not uncommon for these individuals to gain a circle of fans, create their TV shows, and attract even more fans. The group of presenters is famous in the United States, often discovered by those who find the best singers around. Set against a brick backdrop, in a casual setting with some neon lights.
The show had to adhere to all of Billy's demands, down to the smallest detail, including advertising and a brief guide on completely off-limits topics. Additionally, Billy's image and wardrobe had to look desirable and unattainable—a model, an unattainable image.
-Screw the paparazzi, - Billy muttered as he saw the crowds. Everyone was utterly caught up in a frenzy, almost surrounding him like a cordon. Flashes went off incessantly, and as soon as he appeared, at least 500 photos were taken.
Some paparazzi followed the car while people tried to stop the vehicle. The bulletproof windows were something that made him sigh. Part of him hated this fame, the relentless photos.
Even after traveling to the Sony studios, some cars parked at the entrance, far away, along with a few others. Once the moment was forgotten, they started following the news on the special radio channel discussing famous people around Los Angeles.
With no nearby events, they just waited to take some photos of a few people, while others, loyal Billy followers, kept their distance, often being regulars. However, Billy had a reputation for always working in his apartment or going on tour; he didn't visit clubs or parties.
Billy stepped out right in front of the studios.
-Is this where we'll meet the interviewer? - Billy asked, closely followed by Connor, Spencer, Jack Sauce, and Sugar Egg.
They all walked into Howard's newly produced interview studio, set up especially for Billy's program, in a black room with minimal decoration. The audience was fake, and it was an unconventional interview, but even Howard was excited.
The man had black hair, and an oval-shaped thin face, and often wore glasses with orange rims, giving him an updated '80s look.
-Billy, are you excited to travel to London? - Spencer asked, noticing his student's impatience.
-I just wasn't told about this interview, - Billy shrugged. They were prepared in a room with all kinds of drinks, food, sweets, and snacks. Sugar Egg is gorged on chocolates, gummies, gum, ice cream, cookies, syrups, and all sorts of food.
Billy ended up fighting with Sugar Egg over chocolate chip cookies, eventually dividing the food with clear anger, feeling robbed. Connor just smiled at their struggle, while Jack Sauce played with a Game Boy. Spencer tried to read but ended up wrestling with Sugar Egg over his uncontrollable eating.
While they took their time, the Sony producer ran up and down to start the interview, which would be recorded and edited for the following day at 8 PM New York time. They were seated on a long blue sofa for at least six people. Billy took the right end, positioned by the production to face Howard closely.
-Billy, we took our time to make sure the studio resembled the one in Chicago, - Howard commented, taking a seat at a desk common to all interviewers.
-It doesn't matter, - Billy said, knowing that if Jerry had scheduled this interview, it was for a common cause: the need to gain followers to be taken seriously. He had just expected the interview to happen on CNN, owned by Warner.
-Is everyone comfortable? - Howard asked. The band nodded, and a few responses sufficed to get a report of what was happening. A few nods were all that was needed.-
-In 3, 2, 1. We have to start, - said the cameraman, capturing the perfect shot of the participants. The red light came on, and Howard smiled in a way that contradicted his stern demeanor as he adjusted the programming.
-Good morning, America. It's wonderful to have you with us for another show, brought to you by your host, Howard Stern, and a man who always delivers what the public needs. We have with us the band of Billy Carson, the Grammy winners who have surpassed all common limits in the last three editions, - Howard Stern announced as he introduced the band. Billy was dressed in a red shirt and worn jeans.
-Thanks for the invitation, - Billy said, looking at Howard.
The band members were particularly quiet, each greeting the audience briefly, making it clear that Billy would be the focus. The members were virtually unknown.
-Many people will be glued to their seats, seeing one of America's most famous visitors, but please, let's introduce the band members. -
-Sure. We have Spencer, the one in the checkered vest, Connor, the tattooed rebel, Jack Sauce, who tries to look like me, and Sugar Egg, the chubby one, - Billy said.
-Ha, the leather jackets you wear are thanks to me. Without me, you wouldn't know the brand or ask for a sponsorship, - Jack commented from his spot, furthest left of Billy.
-Ohhh, we see some rivalry. -
-Not at all, just mutual affection. Jack is great on the bass. He still needs to practice to surpass his idol, but he's an incredible bassist, - Billy said, smiling at the audience, or rather, the camera.
-Great, let's start the interview without further ado. How has your life changed since you became a rock star? -
The band members made a quick exit, leaving Howard and Billy for a one-on-one interview.
-I feel like you're not giving enough credit to the people around me. I've experienced the change as all famous people do. My private life ended; I even had to move houses to find a more stable life. I have a contract with the record company for eight albums, and I underestimated the time. Eight albums, man, that's 90 songs, - Billy said, leaning to one side. Howard, with his black-as-night hair, wore a black hat and glasses.
-But how did it happen? You were in a correctional facility and suddenly a rock star? It's almost like it fell from the sky. Your career couldn't be more peculiar, transforming from the bad boy of music to warming thousands of hearts. It must be memorable, - Howard commented.
-Well, if you put it that way, I guess that's right, but you're wrong. I always knew I would succeed. Initially, I signed up for music class to avoid sports. In a small music room, something clicked and everything changed. I can say I've been a musician for three years since the beginning, - Billy said.
-Three years? That sounds unbelievable. -
-Well, let everyone think as they wish. Music comes to me as ideas come to others. Everyone has a field to excel in; music to me is like a wave of emotions that needs to be expressed. I make music and tell myself, 'Sing louder, Billy, let people feel what you want to feel.' At some point, everything connected, and people started seeing something more in my singing. Recently, I heard from Jerry, my agent, that my singing transported him to his childhood or sometimes to a rainy day. It's curious how we connect emotions, - Billy said.
-Uhhhh... this is a common question, but it's something we need to know. Many people in the industry, in numerous interviews, have said that attending your concerts brings back memories of something that made them very happy, very free, or simply transports them to a movie-like experience. I didn't believe it, but I lost my skepticism when Lloyd Banks said you reminded him of a childhood Christmas party, and even the controversial Freddy Prinze Jr. told me you took him to a special place, - Howard said.
-Well, I think you have to experience it. It's harder through screens; you need to be there. Don't miss out. I'm doing a short tour across North America, starting on March 1. We'll visit many places in North America, then head to England and hit it hard, - Billy commented.
-Ahhh, advertising, that's good. I hope you hit it hard. I wanted to go, but the tickets in Los Angeles are sold out, - Howard said.
- Call my agent, maybe he can help you. He's always good at managing relationships. If you go, remember my words: you'll have to buy my albums because you won't stop singing my songs. Many want to know them, - Billy said.
- Ohhhh, a bit harsh for a young man. I hope your agent is that good with the tickets. What do you think about piracy? There have been upheavals in recent years. You've lost a lot of income because of those people, - Howard said.
-I see. I don't know how much my income can drop. I think it happens more with less favored authors who are just starting and don't have a machine selling their records. I have platinum albums in many countries. I don't keep count, but I've earned three platinums here in the United States for three albums, - Billy said.
-Not many people know, but you entered the ranking with 72 million certified sales worldwide, estimated at 85 million, putting you alongside bands like Nirvana, The Police, R.E.M., Bob Marley, Lionel Richie, and Earth, Wind & Fire. That's monstrous, - Howard said, pausing.
-Speaking for myself and the audience, I want you to sing a song, - Howard said.
Billy tried to refuse, but the band members were already in position, ready to perform. Now he understood why they left halfway through the interview.
-I guess I can't say no, - Billy whispered, but it was perfectly audible to everyone.
-What do you want, Howard? -
-Well, I have a soft spot for 'Float On' (Modest Mouse). -
-Good choice. You know what to do, guys. Let's hit 'Float On' hard, - Billy said.
🎶🎶🎵 🎶🎶🎵🎶
I backed my car into a cop car the other day
Well he just drove off sometimes life's ok
I ran my mouth off a bit too much oh what did I say
Well you just laughed it off it was all ok
And we'll all float on ok
And we'll all float on ok
And we'll all float on ok
And we'll all float on anyway well
Well, a fake jamaican took every last dime with that scam
It was worth it just to learn from sleight-of-hand
Bad news comes don't you worry even when it lands
🎶🎶🎵 🎶🎶🎵🎶
Whenever he sings "Float On," he recognizes a sadness that invades someone trying to rise from their seat, seeing self-improvement from that view. Billy imagines a man, or himself, in a literary juxtaposition, contemplating the future if he remained depressed, needing to move and float through life. This man rises from the couch, grabs a beer, and starts dancing like a child.
🎶🎶🎵 🎶🎶🎵🎶
Good news will work its way to all them plans
We both got fired on the exactly the same day
Well we'll float on good news is on the way
And we'll all float on ok
And we'll all float on ok
And we'll all float on ok
And we'll all float on alright
Already we'll all float on
Now don't worry we'll all float on
Alright already we'll all float on
Alright don't worry we'll all float on
And we'll all float on alright
🎶🎶🎵 🎶🎶🎵🎶
...
As the song evolved, it jumped to train tracks, a train, and a hidden path on the horizon. Billy's voice resonated with the music, perhaps one of the best Howard had heard—reverberant, charismatic, and contagious. Any fan would recognize Billy's voice instantly. It was the voice that echoed, drowned on a rocky beach with big waves crashing against the rocks, a landscape of extreme beauty. The sea was a clear blue, with vibrant marine plants painting a beautiful scene.
Howard couldn't help but dance in his seat. It was Billy's magic, the magic of transmitting. He didn't see the images, but the smell of the sea, the taste of salt hit like a trigger, putting him in a quick trance.
🎶🎶🎵 🎶🎶🎵🎶
Already we'll all float on
Alright don't worry even if things end up a bit to heavy
We'll all float on alright
Already we'll all float on
Alright already we'll all float on
Ok don't worry we'll all float on
Even if things get heavy we'll all float on
Alright already we'll all float on
Don't you worry we'll all float on
All float on
🎶🎶🎵 🎶🎶🎵🎶
..
Billy ended the song with the hope that Howard knew his song was unlike any other.
-I think you're the best singer of this era, I mean, of the 2000s. I hope you achieve great things, - Howard said, humming the tune of "Float On."