Bumpshack Celebrity Interviews....Evan Farmer, Rick Ankiel

Evan was very gracious in answering every question I presented to him and taking his time with all of the questions. Evan went into much detail and showed how much he truly loves and adores his fans. I hope all of you 'While You were Out' and Evan Farmer fans enjoy the interview. Let me know what you think of it. Bumpshack@Bumpshack.com

Bumpshack: When will you be releasing your album and how can I get a copy of it when it's released?
Shannon C. of Westfield, MA, Amy, HeatherRaeAk, Amy Tucker, Chrystal Stevens

Evan: Well, I seriously underestimated the amount of commitment the show would require of me time-wise. I’m poised and ready to finish in the studio with my band, and we continue to write and exchange new ideas (through email mostly), but it’ll require a chunk of time to just go in and lay everything down. It’s really my only complaint about my world right now! To answer your question though, I don’t know! In the meantime, I’m re-vamping my website and will start putting up some of the new material as I go. So keep checking WWW.EVANFARMER.NET!

Bumpshack: Everyone's been asking you when the CD you've been working on is coming out, but I'm more curious about how you're making it happen, especially with your heavy schedule. Are you with a label or are you handling everything independently?
Crystal

Evan: You’ve just hit the nail on the head with my dilemma. I’m on the road almost 300 days out of the year and my band is based out of New York. I’m lucky enough to fly them out occasionally to do TV appearances, but recording takes a chunk of time that I just don’t have right now. As far as labels, I haven’t signed with any for much the same reasons as above. They work on timetables, and the other reality is that the industry has changed dramatically in the last couple of years for artists. It’s possible for the artist to do almost everything that big labels used to hold the monopoly on. Since record sales are being usurped by downloads for example, distribution is a totally different beast. I’m primarily concerned with making good music that I care about and less concerned about the commercial side of things though, so I’m thinking my website will play a big role in testing out songs in the immediate time frame.

Evan: Probably a lot less glamorous or exciting than you would imagine unfortunately. We would fly in from shooting the 2ge+her series in Vancouver all week, do a sound check, perform, do a little press and then be on a plane back again. We almost never even saw Britney or anyone else for that matter. It makes you feel somewhat removed from the process in a way! I will say that she is an extraordinarily hard-working woman, and she has a tremendously disciplined and professional work ethic. She’s also very sweet, and genuine.

Bumpshack: I love the show! I am a huge fan of yours as well. I would be deeply saddened to see the show end, but if it ever did, what are your plans?
Dee Dee

Evan: Well, I have so many irons in the fire right now and many things I’ve been neglecting (including myself to some extent) that I imagine I’ll be doing a lot of “Catch-up” for a while. This industry is really funny in that everything is either “all at once”, or totally “dead”- so to anticipate the future is impossible. I’ve always been open to new ideas and opportunities so maybe something new will fall into my lap! In general, I would like to continue to spend time with my family, and hopefully make a family of my own. We’ll see!

Bumpshack: Flash-forward a couple of decades. Where do you hope to be in your life, and what accomplishments do you hope to be reflecting on?
Kim

Evan: Hmmm 20 years from now… I’d like to think I’m healthy still! I would love to have made a difference in this world, and I’d like to think I’ve left a legacy that my family and friends would be proud of. It’s really as simple as that! I’m still in a place where all of that has yet to be determined so I feel extraordinarily fortunate.

Bumpshack: I know you have wonderful parents and two sisters that you love dearly, but
do you ever wish you had a brother? What was it like having female
siblings growing up?
Emily

Evan: I have the best of all worlds. My Dad and I are very close and he and I did all the things I would have done with a brother. I also grew up with several close friends that were very much like having brothers. I have had the best of all worlds. My sisters’ rule. They’re the most creative, talented, funny, and successful people I have ever met, and my Mom has always been great about letting me be a “guy” without it becoming a negative…if that makes sense.

Bumpshack: First I want to say that I hope all is well with your mom. I understand that she's a multiple cancer survivor and my heart goes out to her for the difficulties she's endured. I lost my Mom to cancer so I know what a strain it is emotionally on the family as a whole. That being said; how do you maintain a healthy balance in your life with such a hectic schedule?
Phyllis, Masachussetts, Diana Noble, Mentor, OH, Damiana from NJ

Evan: Thank you for your sentiments, and I’m terribly sorry for your loss! It’s a reality of life that we all share in some way and at some point. I guess it’s the balance you mentioned that is the key to it all. Balance between humor and bad news and events, balance between time and space; balance between nurture and challenge, and ultimately between life and death. It’s a constant set of questions that always needs answering, and the balance that you achieve becomes your legacy. Now that I’ve become very abstract, I will say that I force my self at every important decision to ask the sometimes-tough question of; is this the best choice for everyone involved? I only hope that I make the best choices possible at that time in my life!

Bumpshack: Are you still doing charity work with the Komen Foundation or other cancer charities?
Jennifer

Evan: I support all of my favorite charities in different ways. Sometimes, just speaking publicly about their value to me, or otherwise. I haven’t been able, scheduling-wise, to attend Baltimore’s Race For The Cure in a few years, but I have them in my agenda every chance I get. Most recently I felt the best way to make a difference was to make a donation to the Tsunami relief fund supported by Unicef. Two weeks ago I sent a check for $10,000.00 to them and am trying to get together a small fundraiser auction on e-bay. I personally like to be flexible in addressing things in life that come along. It keeps me connected to the larger picture instead of living in one tragedy forever, but that’s how I feel the need to approach things. I will always continue to support ones that have directly affected myself or loved ones as a tribute to them. In that regard I’m still active with the Michael Cuccione Foundation, as well as the Komen Foundation as they have been the way my friend Michael Cuccione and My Mother have chosen to help others.

Bumpshack: People experience life changing events everyday. What is the most life changing thing that has happened to you so far in your life?
Nicole

Evan: Ya know, that’s tough! The way I live my life in general however, I can trace back to an article that I read that in someway triggered a conviction in me to live life to the fullest and take risks. It’s become so Cliché’ to “Carpe Diem”, or to say to someone “You only live once!” that It masks it’s harsh reality and the consequential opportunities it brings. The article I’m thinking of was written back in the 80’s when HIV was still headline news. It talked about a group of affected people who had come together every weekend to face all the fears and do all the things they’ve always wanted to do but were to “trapped” in their lives previous to diagnosis. Now that they had a timeline that seemed real, they for the first time adopted a true “what do I have to loose?” attitude. As a result, the article pointed out that these people were happier with HIV, than the majority of people around them who didn’t have it. It was a paradox that hit me hard, and from that point on I made every decision as if that were (in a way) my own predicament. I started skydiving, I faced the entertainment industry with total abandon, and I made my family, friends, and health my top priorities… It’s a truly liberating (albeit morbid) platform.

Bumpshack: I heard you have in-laws in India. I was wondering if they had an encounter with the Tsunami? If so, are they ok?
Karen

Evan: Again I can’t thank you all enough for your concerns! My in-laws are all fine gratefully, though the tragedy does seem to hit a little harder at home when you’re connected geographically to it.

Evan: Hypothetically, I’d date any woman who shares my values, makes me laugh, and that I’m attracted to. I don’t approach anything in my life with strict requirements beyond that. There are too many amazing people out there to be closed off to them for some reason.

Bumpshack: What qualities do you look for in a woman?
Amy

Evan: Honesty, ambition, humor, positivism, independence, nurturing, thoughtful, giving, right handed (just kidding), open-minded…

Bumpshack: Finish this sentence: I would never date a woman who .
Meaghan

Evan: can’t laugh about any subject…

Bumpshack: Would you ever consider dating/marrying someone out of the showbiz industry?
Keisha

Bumpshack: Will you come to Bend and ski with me? Afterwards I will take you to the infamous Deschutes Brewery and buy you a beer. Come on, take a couple of days out of your demanding schedule and come play. We have lots of snow right now.
Shelley Dougherty

Evan: Wow, thanks for the offer! I do need to play…but there’s a particular lady in my life who might be a little jealous…

Bumpshack: Have you ever hooked up with one of the ladies from the show or even one of the ladies whose house you worked on?. Maybe even one of their neighbors?
Kirk Catron, owner of actual Bumpshack House.

Evan: No, though I think I may be the only one proliferating the Chayse/Evan rumor right now…

Bumpshack: What is one thing you always wished you could do or have had the chance to do?
HeatherRaeAk

Bumpshack: Does Mr. Farmer ski or does he stick with warm weather sports like the paragliding he likes so much?
Denise

Evan: I love to ski! I haven’t snow boarded since the year it was invented, but I can’t wait to try it again. I love sports - and anything physical really. I’m an experience junkie and that plays into it. Flying however is my ultimate passion.

Bumpshack: I read you live in NY. I live in NJ about 30 miles from the city.What things do you like to do in the city? I would like to go dancing, but I'm not sure what places to go (and is it safe for a single woman to go alone???).
Trish Cummings

Evan: I wish I were in NYC enough to have something that resembled a life there! I love to go dancing, but haven’t done so in NY for quite sometime. We dance a lot on the road. We actually have a crewmember named Brian who will do the Worm anywhere (recently across an Abercrombie showroom). I’m very lucky to have my friends also be my co-workers and we have a great time. As far as the single woman going out alone… Not so sure, I guess that depends on the person, place and time I suppose. I personally like to go out “with” a friend or two…

Bumpshack: How many shirts do you own? You seem to never wear the same one twice.
Shannon B

Evan: Well shortly after I started this show, I realized that I would be systematically destroying everything I wear on it. I have had a great relationship with several clothing lines, and Guess in particular has been extremely generous with me. I told them that I love their clothes but would feel horrible getting paint on them. They have a whole warehouse full of clothes that they use for photo shoots. To keep them from “disappearing,” they damage the clothes by putting a cut somewhere on the back (usually). I just roll in there, grab a ton of stuff and that’s mostly what you see me wearing on the show. If I destroy a shirt, it doesn’t matter. The cast loves to play the game to see who can find the hole on my clothes first.

Bumpshack: You mentioned in an interview once that you were trying to get your private pilot's license. Have you been able to get it yet? To let you know I have a pet Iguana that recognizes and responds to your voice. So you have a large green cold-blooded fan.
God Bless, Sandra Hurlburt

Evan: That’s so weird cause I have been called the “Iguana Whisperer!” I haven’t had enough time to get the pilots license yet or to be in a place where I could fly regularly enough for it to be a safe hobby. There’ll be time for that one day though!

Bumpshack: When you were a little kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? What do you think that kid would think of you now?
Erin

Evan: When I was about five, I remember thinking that I’d be a rock musician. That was the last time I ever guessed. I’m never going to grow up if it means having to decide though!

Bumpshack: Boxers, briefs, boxer-briefs or nothing at all?
Melissa Young

Evan: Boxer-briefs!

Bumpshack: What do you wish you were good at?
Sarah Snowden

Evan: Time travel!

Bumpshack: Is there anything you wish for or want to happen in 2005?
Angie, Las Vegas

Evan: I’d love to see the US get out of this quagmire we’re in with the rest of the world and become more respected internationally. America has a lot to offer and I hope we can do better.

Bumpshack: Will you please share your most embarrassing moment?
Marianne Lo Monaco

Evan: Since I don’t embarrass easily, that’s tough. I really don’t have too much in my life to hide, so I tend to only get embarrassed when I say or do something that unintentionally hurts someone’s feelings. Since that doesn’t happen too too often, I really don’t know what to tell you. I mean I blushed when Leslie busted out a shirtless picture of me on the show!

Bumpshack: I would like to know if you've ever regretted anything you've done in the entertainment business.
Christy

Evan: I can only guess that you’re referring to the “goat incident” and well, I can’t say I regret it so much as don’t remember it… In all seriousness, I’m very proud to have been raised with a strong ethical set of values. I value and protect my dignity intensely, but always look for an opportunity to learn or correct my mistakes. In this business, I’ve maintained a regret-free existence so far.

Bumpshack: Parachuting would be so exciting to try, how long have you been jumping and have there been any close calls?
Bethany J.

Evan: I made less than 30 jumps, and stopped when I started working on 2ge+her and wasn’t able to stay “Current.” It’s statistically a VERY safe sport these days. The equipment, the training, and the USPA make it that way. I only had one un-easy open but that was never in the realm of close call. I had a line twist that fixed itself before I knew what it was. It was my 3rd jump and I went right back up that same day! My instructor had over 4,000 jumps with no malfunctions to give you an idea. I’m so addicted to paragliding right now though so I may not be doing a whole lot of jumping in the future if I had to choose between the two…

Bumpshack: You are invited over to a friend's house for dinner. While you are eating your salad you discover there is a cockroach in your salad. What would you do?
Laura

Evan: Eat the cockroach. I hear they taste like avocado… I’ll eat almost anything and I don’t really have a germ phobia. Immunities are built in my opinion, and I love a good laugh so I’d definitely eat the bug!

Bumpshack: I was wondering if you have had any vivid or impressionable dreams in the past few months or, if you have re-occurring dreams? If so, can you share?
Karen

Evan: My dreams are so vivid it can confuse me in the mornings! Last few months? I really should write them down cause they disappear after a day…

Bumpshack: What is a typical day like in the life of Evan?
Aimee King

Evan: I wake up, drink a cup of coffee, shower, do a bit of work on the computer and head off to work. Somewhere in there, I try to squeeze in a work out and a round of calls to my family. After a shoot I typically go out to dinner with everyone, and then repeat! On non-working days, it’s pretty much the same as above, but I’m usually running around trying to catch up on everything I get behind on while I’m working.

Bumpshack: What is your favorite cologne to wear, if you wear it?
Syan

Evan: It was better than waiting tables and something that helped me get by with a schedule that allowed me to purse other things. Definitely a means to an end!

Bumpshack: I have read that you suffer from depression. If so, what advice would you give to the 1 out of 5 Americans battling this crippling disease?
Lee

Evan: Hmmm…I never read that… For starters, I think I may have been misquoted in talking about my life and that’s always a danger in this profession! I am not a stranger to depression as a disease though. My mother was an adolescent psychologist for a time and therefore we, as a family, had a unique understanding of a disease that many people misinterpret, label incorrectly, or simply don’t understand. I believe it’s been even more clouded by the proliferation of the drug companies’ marketing campaigns which encourage commercialism over “education.”

Bumpshack: What do you love about working on ‘While You Were Out?’
Kimberly Cooper

Evan: Uhm Everything!!! I love the people first and foremost. I’ve said this before and I will continue to say that I work with and among the most talented, creative, and generous people in the business. I love meeting the contributors, hearing their stories, becoming a part of their world. I love the traveling around! I love that we’re doing something of value and not exploiting people for ratings. I could go on and on! I’m very aware of how fortunate I am!!!!!

Bumpshack: I counted the episodes from season two and there are at least sixty. So you must film more than one episode a week. Are the destinations planned so they are within a close driving distance and then shown out of order? Does the show shoot all year long?
Annabel

Evan: Last season we shot 62 I think and this season will be about the same. It’s a two week on and two week off schedule, and we fly most places. In between shoots, I’m doing appearances, and still have to do voice overs for the final edits so It’s a full time job. I don’t think I work less than 60 hrs a week right now, but you have to remember that in this business you deal in extremes. I’ve had months of not working at all, and the trick is to make that time just as valuable. We may have a year-end break of 3 weeks, but again with post-production and other engagements it’s year round! The shows are shown in order for the most part with occasional changes to match up with other programming on the channel.

Bumpshack: I am 12 and I am planning to re-do my room after Christmas sometime. I like volleyball and music. My favorite colors are blue, purple and yellow. I have a fairly big room with a loft already built in it. Do you have any ideas for what I should do design and color wise?
Sammy

Evan: Sounds to me like you already have it figured out. Purple, Blue, and Yellow are very beach-like and last time I checked Volleyball is VERY beachy… as is music. I would let your imagination go wild and try not to limit yourself. Sounds pretty exciting to me! Will would post pictures of it when you’re done?

Bumpshack: Who is the craziest of all of the WYWO cast?
Sarah Foote

Bumpshack: I saw the episode when you took over the job as a designer and that was wicked cool. Would you ever think about doing that again and take over that job?
Katrina

Evan: Well, they asked me to do it and I jumped at the chance and had a great time! I like my role on the show as host though. It’s the best of all the worlds where I can do everything and not be task tied. If they asked me again, I’m sure I’d do it though…

Bumpshack: Where you always creative, working with wood, home repairs etc, or did you pick this up on ‘While You Were Out’
Dave

Evan: I grew up doing repairs and building things with my father who can build and fix just about anything. I studied architecture for two years and was a handyman for my landlord during college. My sisters can do just about anything you see on our show as well, and I’ve learned a lot from them. For example my sister Eliza, can tile like nobodies business. I’m not formerly trained but I feel like I’m surrounded by the best teachers both on and off the show. I also like to figure out how to do things on my own and have developed my own techniques through trial and error.

Bumpshack: Have you ever done a WYWO episode where something went wrong and for whatever reason the episode was not broadcast?
Andrew

Evan: When things go “wrong” on our show it’s shown - period! It makes for interesting television, and it’s the “reality” of good reality-television. We’ve had homeowners figure out that we’re there, I’ve cut my finger on the table saw, Andrew’s tossed wood in frustration, everyone is human on this show and we’re not out to glorify or sugar coat our experience. It’s really what I feel is separating us from other shows right now in that way and it’s something we’re proud of. It’s easy on television to make everyone seem perfect or have everything work out in the end, but that’s not life and people have a great BS detector when watching these reality shows. A perfect example is the fact that we have a great crew of people that we’ll incorporate into the mix, like “Ryan the Sound Guy.” I just started referring to him on camera and one day forced him in front of it by talking to him directly, and the cameras just went with it. He’s a great friend and when I’m building something he’s great with ideas so I figured why hide that! He’s becoming an intricate part of the family on screen. I can remember a John Bruce show in Savannah Georgia where we were making a hundred Exquisite Corpse drawings, which requires three different people to participate in each one. Well, you go through our cast a couple of times and you’re done, so I grabbed the camera out of the camera man’s hands and filmed HIM doing it too. Leslie did the same thing and it turned out to be a really cool glimpse into “our” reality. Wow I can get off onto a tangent can’t I?

Dear Mr. Farmer,

Hi! How are you? I pray this message finds you well and happy. I am SO GLAD I won the title of being your "Number One Fan!!" I don't know what to say in this message, though, because I have already written you a fan letter. With that in mind, I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity and THANK YOU for your lovely photo and reply that you sent me!

All I could think of, was how sweet it was of you to take time on Christmas Eve to not only read my letter, but to also reply! You are such a sweetheart!!!

I truly was the happiest woman on the whole planet the day I received your autograph in the mail! Every once-in-a-while, I'll glance over at your autograph, and I just smile. I must have read what you wrote about a million times... Anyway, I still think you're the "Host with the Most," and I am anxiously awaiting the release of your new album! Take care, and as always, you're in my prayers! You rock!!!

Sincerely,

The Interview with Rick I will do during Spring Training in Early March. Send your questions in now for me to ask to Rick and possibly other Cardinals when I am down there.