A Character Interview with Blake McIntyre by Grace Augustine

In case you missed the interview with Blake McIntyre this morning the transcript is below. Many thanks to her for participating in our author interview series.

Rebecca: We have a lot of wonderful people associated with the music industry here today. Thank you so much for being early risers and appearing on our program this morning. First off, I want to introduce you to Blake McIntyre. I will have Blake say a few words before we begin the question and answer session.

Blake: Thank you so much for having me on your panel today, Rebecca. For those who don’t know me, my name is Blake McIntyre. I’m in music public relations and manage the career of the lovely Renee Manelli. Our meeting a year ago was quite shocking, really. We’re across the hall neighbors who never knew the other person until one morning at 2 am. I had just been let go from Bankston, where I’d worked for 15 years, and had secured an interview with another agency. I needed sleep to be on my A-game. It was impossible because of the noise coming from across the hall.

It wasn’t the first-time music wafted through the hallway and walls of my apartment. This time, I’d had enough. I marched across to my neighbor’s apartment, expecting to find a party, but what I found was this lovely creature sitting on a stool at her kitchen counter writing and playing her guitar. I startled her so badly, I thought she was going to bang me over the head with her instrument. It was no laughing matter, but I found myself doing just that.

Rebecca: What is your biggest achievement to date?
Blake: I’d have to say every artist I represent is my biggest achievement. Each is unique. Each has their own way of music interpretation and engaging a crowd. There hasn’t been just one, there have been many.

Rebecca: What is your greatest fear? We all know how finicky the the music industry is. It seems that one day you’re there and the next you’re gone.
Blake: I guess my greatest fear is failure. If I fail, so do my clients and I’m certainly not ready for them to fail. My job is to produce a successful musician and promote him or her in such a manor they rise to the top. If I fail my job, they won’t hit the top. They won’t get what they so justly deserve.

Rebecca: Where is your favorite place in the whole world?
Blake: You know, I’ve visited many foreign countries with my job. I honestly have to say home is my favorite place, especially now, since I have Renee. I never thought I’d say that, but after traveling as much as we do, it is so good to just walk through that door, kick off the shoes and relax in front of the fireplace. No screaming crowds, no contracts, just peace and quiet.

Rebecca: Who or what do you despise?
Blake: That is an interesting question, Rebecca. I am not too fond of people who say one thing and can’t follow through. You know, a man—or a woman—is only as good as their word. If they can’t keep their word, they aren’t worth much.

Rebecca: What do you do for fun or to relax?
Blake: When we aren’t touring, Renee and I enjoy quiet evenings at home. After proposing to Renee at the Independence Day celebration last summer, I decided it made sense to just purchase the building where we live. We’re getting married soon and renovating both apartments into one large space with a recording studio and extra bedrooms to accommodate other musicians, family and visitors. I’ve also developed an interest in cooking, believe it or not, and make a mean chili. My steak and fettuccini Alfredo are magnifique!

Rebecca: That sounds yummy. None of us have had breakfast yet. Maybe we should have had you cook up something. We’ll have to save that for another that for another time. Thanks you so much for your time today, Blake. It was a pleasure having you with us.
Blake: Thank you, Rebecca. I enjoyed being here. And, if any of you are free on Friday, Renee and the band will be performing at Constance’s. Stop by and say hi. We’d love seeing you.

Blake McIntyre is the lead male character in Moonlight & Music by Grace Augustine

Blurb:

Blake McIntyre held his position at Bankston Promotions for fifteen years. He is the top music artist promoter in the business. Potential clients by-passed the CEO’s daughter and sought out his expertise. He assumed that was why he was fired. With an interview scheduled in less than six hours, he needed sleep and to be on his A-game, but the wailing coming from the apartment across the hall prevented it.

Renee Manelli, a frustrated musician, had worked twenty years as a paralegal. Her goal was to stockpile money, retire early, write songs, and hit the road performing. Her crystal-clear voice and mixed with the poignant messages in her songs make her the fastest rising independent artist in the country. She couldn’t help that most of her creativity happened at 2 a.m.

A working relationship between Blake and Renee turned quickly into the personal journey of a lifetime under the stars…and moonlight and music.

Bio:

Editor and internationally known author, Grace Augustine grew up in Northern Montana. She’s always had a love for words, whether spoken, written, or read. Her debut novel, Bittersweet, Book 1 of the Acorn Hills Series, was published in 2013. Since then, she has published 13 others in several genres. Grace loves hearing from her readers and may be contacted via her website at http://www.graceaugustine.weebly.com.

R. Tran Books

Writing to entertain and inform others.