We are best-selling authors Mitch Albom, Scott Turow, Roy Blount, Jr., Ridley Pearson, James McBride, and Sam Barry, with rock legend Roger McGuinn (from The Byrds). We're in a band with Amy Tan, Stephen King, Matt Groening, and Greg Iles called t...

It took me so long to read the title, I've lost my question.

One of the best comments of the day.

Ridley, a few years ago, you brought Amy Tan with you for a tour of my place of employment. She brought along her dog, which wasn't allowed out on grounds - I got asked to take care of it for a few hours.

I'm not a small person, and that was a tiny, tiny dog. I don't know that I've ever been more nervous. I was about positive that this dog was going to up and die on my watch, and I couldn't imagine having to tell my mother that I killed her favorite authors dog. So, I made a deal with the pooch - I told it that if it lived for the next few hours, I'd do nothing but pet it.

Having to tell my CEO, "I'm sorry, I can't do that. I'm petting a very important dog right now," is one of the highlights of my career.

Amy and Lou used to visit me during the summers in Idaho, UNTIL she got thrown off the only air carrier into Sun Valley for hiding her dog on a flight. Since then the dog carries badges and royal appointments so it can travel anywhere.

Since you all are writers, do you have a hard time choosing who is going to write the lyrics for your songs? Does Stephen King always want them to be about a malevolent being/object from Maine?

We don't make up lyrics, but we frequently forget them

We do not make up lyrics. We STEAL lyrics--i.e. for the most part we sign 60's standards.

Stephen made up lyrics -- TEEN ANGEL -- until a court order desist was placed upon us. Then Dave (who doesn't make anything up) cajoled an audience into inserting a crowd shouted expletive whenever the publishing company's name was mentioned (they who had filed for the court order). Dave would mention the company's name and 2,000 people would shout _ _ _ _ _ _! Three shows later, the court order was dropped and Stephen was allowed to sing his crazy lyrics again.

We performed an original by Kathi called Older Than Him (aka The Slut Song) and one by Dave called Proofreading Woman. I hear Scott has been writing songs on guitar for years, but he won't play one for us.

Are you aware of Band from TV, the band comprised of famous TV actors including Hugh Laurie? If yes: who would win in a Battle of the Bands? Who would win in a literal fight?

Anybody who wants to take on Greg Iles better think again--unless Hugh Laurie is allowed to use that cane.

And I might add: Amy Tan with her riding crop would make anyone think twice...

I don't fight Brits.

Greg is a rock star, but Hugh Laurie (as House) is very rock star-like in terms of his use of narcotics.

Band from TV wins on the ability scale, but we are sillier.

Hi Mitch ! I've been a huge fan of your works for years - Tuesdays with Morrie not only inspired me to write as well but also helped me a lot with coping with loss over the years. Thank you for everything you do.

My question for you is, as an aspiring writer, I'd know more about your writing habits. What time of day do you usually write, what do you write on, how often do you write, etc. Thanks again !

Thank you for your question and your kind words. My writing habits are pretty static. I get up every morning between 6 and 7 am, grab a cup of coffee, say a few prayers, and go downstairs to my office and start writing. I do this until about 10 or 11 in the morning and then stop. I never come back to it after that. Never look at it at night or in the afternoon. I always try to finish on an upbeat note, so I'll look forward to coming back to it the next day. Don't use any fance quill pens or pads, because I can't read my own handwriting. I just use whatever computer is laying around, and start writing.

Hey Mitch! Huge fan of your work, just finished The Time Keeper and loved it! Also, I grew up in Dearborn and always looked forward to reading your articles in the Free Press as a kid and still look them up online even though I live in Boston now. Also, for a guy that seems to really appreciate things the old fashioned way it seems you're handling Reddit pretty well!

Anyway, is there any connection between Detroit sports and your writings involving grief?

Only with the Detroit Lions.

You guys are totally kicking Adrien Grenier's AMA ass right now. Just sayin'

Maybe, but he's selling drugs. We have NO idea what we're selling.

That's why we do this.

I would also like to point out that the longer this band is on Reddit, the fewer people are on the site.

For the band: Is Stephen King creepy in real life?

I saw him playing with spiders. I'm just saying.

You would think so, wouldn't you? And you'd be wonderfully disappointed. Super funny. Insanely bright. "Guy-next-door" goofiness. NO IDEA where all that dark comes from; he exhibits NONE of it.

Singing Irish songs on a radio interview with Frank McCourt! http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4031/1170/320/IMG_2064.jpg

Roger's ability to post a photo link confirms his standing as the Remainders' all time tech wizard and Supreme Geek. Mind you, it's VERY competitive field in this particular band.

Roger—a pleasure to mention this to you, but among Irish songs, have you come across Patrick Kavanaugh's Raglan Road? The heart-stopper of all heart-stoppers.

(Here's the only other Roger of Rock Legend with a version of it, along with the Chieftains.

Thanks for the link. I didn't know that song and have just downloaded a copy.

Hi Roy, My wife Melanie is a great fan of yours. Would you write a love poem -- or a love limerick -- for her? Her birthday is tomorrow. Thank you!

For a virtuous lady named Melanie, Great felons would give up their felony, And masters of lies, If she said, "Not wise," From then on would strictly not tell any.

I don't see how I can get into any trouble with that.

NOTICE: gaping silence

You've appeared at Book Fairs, Book Conventions, & Theatres. Which venue or tour was your favorite for locale, fan reaction, sound quality, etc.

I personally favor the place in Boston where there were used condoms on the floor of the Green Room. When we pointed this out to the manager of the venue, he shrugged and said, "We had a Latin band last night."

Yeah, it was Metamucil on the floors of the Remainders green room.

and Advil

Given that criteria, I'd say "The Filmore" with Robin Williams opening for us.

But a STRONG 2nd would be our being the first band to play at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame (it's opening weekend) in front of every legit rock star IN THE WORLD.

We played in a club near St. Louis. I think it was owned by Chuck Berry (no relation), or maybe it was near a club he owned. Anyhow, Marilyn Manson was playing there after us. I loved that.

Mitch had a serious Advil problem. We had to check him into rehab. There's going to be a movie about it.

Playing at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was the scariest, but any time we played at a BEA Convention, we had the best reception. Probably because those people actually knew who we were.

We also played at the Fillmore in San Francisco. During sound check Dave and I looked at each other and said, "Holy shit, we're playing the Filmore."

Does Dave Barry make things up?

Everything Dave ever wrote is the absolute truth, including this statement: "It is a scientific fact that your body will not absorb cholesterol if you take it from another person's plate."

I think Dave made up a brother named Sam

He does, but he doesn't realize it. And if you tell him he does, he will just sull up.

"Sull" is Roy's word for the day. I had to look it up. It isn't easy to find.

It's what a possum does.

Roger, so, I want to be a rock and roll star. How do I go about doing this?

So you you want to be a rock'n roll star Then listen now to what I say Just get an electric guitar And take some time and learn how to play And when your hair's combed right and your pants fit tight It's gonna be all right

Then it's time to go down town Where the agent men won't let you down Sell your soul to the company Who are waiting there to sell plastic ware And in a week or two if you make the charts The girls'll tear you apart

The price you pay for your riches and fame Was it all a strange game You're a little insane The money that came and the public acclaim Don't forget what you are You're a rock'n'roll star

For Roy Blount Jr: You've been on Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me for a while now…who was your favourite guest of all time and why? Who's your favourite panellist?

Favorite guest: Barack Obama. Favorite panelist: me.

For Roy Blount Jr: at what point in the song "Wild Thing" should the lyric "You move me" be uttered?

ow. N

Sorry. First panelist who popped into my head.

Why a band?

we're in a band? I thought this was a reading group?

Why not?

protection

Why gravity?

To be fair, that's not really a choice/decision.

We never had a choice. Especially James and Ridley. The judge said they had to play in the Remainders.

My point exactly! We were all asked by a woman, Kathi Goldmark, if we would want to play in a band to raise $ for non-profits. THERE WAS NO CHOICE OR DECISION to be made. Only later did any of us find out who was going to be in the band!

For Mitch- Since you are on ESPN's sports reporters i must ask, who do you want to win the NBA finals?

I hate to be like everyone else, but I'm rooting for San Antonio because I like teams that were built the old-fashioned way.

Are you taking requests for covers? If so, I'd like to see a cover of Iko Iko. I have no idea why, but it just seems right.

We're not going to lie and say we've all been on Reddit much, but our publisher, Coliloquy, promised we'd love it

Also, your publisher maybe lied. I have a feeling it wouldn't be the first time...

i don't do covers this time of year. Maybe a single sheet, thin as gossamer, and, willy-nilly, the cat. That's not the cat's name. Did you know that if you sing Happy Birthday in public you have to pay? But the tune is clearly in the public domain, so I guess you could hum it.

Stephen King does a WICKED Iko Iko in the Remainders. One of my favs.

Can we get a fun Stephen King anecdote?

Three o'clock in the morning, somewhere in the south, in Aretha Franklin's rock bus (we had rented it). Steve in the front of the bus just talking (to no one in particular) for a good 40 minutes. Just on and on and on... Dave Barry and I both awoke for it, and still talk about it to this day.

I just wanted to say something to Roy: Roy, I just wanna say that you're the funniest panelist on "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me" 9 times out of 10. How can I be as funny as you?

Thank you. First you have to endure enormous sorrow. And be funny-looking. Even though that doesn't come through on the radio, being just naturally funny-looking is key. i mean funny-peculiar-looking. But not downright horrible-looking, as I am sure you are not. Downright horrible-looking, you should try illegal-loan-enforcement, if you are also burly and mean.

I have mutton chops and I'm chubby, Roy...and podcaster Jordan Morris once described me as a "bit of a goofball". Looks like I'm on my way to comedy success.

Even when he's being serious Roy makes me laugh. I don't think he can help it.

Mitch, I grew up reading the Detroit Free Press and it was only after moving away from the area I realized that truly well-written newspaper articles are quite rare. Thank you making the newspaper something worth reading every day.

Thank you for continuing to read newspapers. I fear for their future. And I agree, the Free Press really was a well-written newspaper and its writers took pride in that.

Where do you guys get together to jam? A cyber-garage?

We have not perfected the art of "jamming." We're still back at the question: "Should we rehearse, or will it only make us worse?"

It's true, mostly on stage! But I do remember a great jam, led by Roger, in Frank McCourt's hotel room. Frank sang "Danny Boy."

Bet we'd sound better in a cyber-garage.

Mostly on stage!

Okay. Irritating publishing-related question. Apologies.

In the years to come, will works of yours that exist only inside a device mean as much to you as the physical copies of your books, visible there across the room? Thank you.

If they're visible across the room they aren't being read -- you know? They're just up there on a shelf. Waiting. Hoping. The UNTOLD HOURS it takes to compose one of these... my hope at the end of the last period is that someone will read it. Printed on a roll of toilet paper works for me. Just read it! Please, read it!

Nope. Not even close. Anyone who's ever ripped open a box of his or her first book and held that sucker in their hands knows that nothing electronic will ever match that experience.

Frank McCourt, ah me. I can't think of a more winning opener to a work than what he came up with for Angela's Ashes.

Any thoughts on the man?

Frank was a doll. He was as funny, smart, gentle and engaging as every page of Angela's Ashes suggests. My impressions was that he was late to the fame game and appreciated it in a way that few who make it young ever do. He loved life, and he loved to laugh. And he played harmonica. He came to us and said, he could play one Beatles song: Love Me Do. So we practiced that song. And in the middle of the show, we invited Frank onstage to play it. And he started playing. Except the one song he knew was actually, "I should have known better." And we were playing "Love Me Do." And the sad thing is, almost nobody noticed. But we laughed about it for years.

Frank had a sense of humor and a joy of life that never quit. He forgot the lyrics to Danny Boy at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I mean... FRANK!!! But that was Frank. Being around Frank and Dave with some adult beverages -- those are moments, such rare, incredible moments, at least in my life, that I sometimes wonder if I was actually there or just dreamed it all up.

Thank you for that. (What could be more poignant than a version of Danny Boy where the lyrics are forgotten? The sly rogue!)

I don't think he was being sly. I think he forgot. But Frank was hilarious. I remember getting on my knees and trying to conduct him on harmonica.

It's been almost a year since your last concert. What do you miss most about being in the band?

The reason we all do this (I think) is because of the time we are not on stage -- all the hanging out and rehearsing, meals, bus rides, flights. The time we share. I can honestly say I miss it every day we are not doing it. I come away charged-up and ready to write-and-roll every time this band spends a day together. Miss it.

Ridley's right. I always looked at it as summer camp. Can't wait to go. Hate to leave. Think about it until next year. The only thing missing was the bug juice.

Ditto. All these wonderful people. Singing around the piano with Mitch and Dave.

Roger, what would you say your fondest memory of your time with The Byrds is?

Roger didn't respond because he can't remember being in The Byrds. You know the old saying about the 60s.

The beginning of the Byrds was the most fun, when Gene Clark, David Crosby, Chris Hillman, Michael Clarke and I were learning how to keep a beat so the dancers at Ciro's wouldn't fall over.

Notice: THE SILENCE

Mitch: Who is the 6th person you meet in heaven?

Elvis

the tax man

Hi all! Just have to ask, if we were to replace the cast of "This is the End" with Rock Bottom Remainders, who would go first, and who are the five people they'd meet in heaven?

Sadly, and we should take a moment to honor them here, we've lost several members, three of whom will be the first Five to meet in heaven: Warren Zevon Frank McCourt Kathi Goldmark.

The unexpected part of staying together for 20 years was attrition. Scott (Turow) had pulled me aside when I turned 50 and said, "Rid, be watchful, from here on out you lose friends at an alarming rate." As always, Scott knew what he was talking about. Each of these amazing people, Warren, Frank, and dear Kathi left us with so many funny stories to tell. That could be its own book.

I just saw this movie. So I think you're asking the question in a humorous way. All I can say is, if the Rapture ever really came, for any of us to be taken up, we would first have to stop playing.

There must have been some interesting synergy in this group - were any of your literary works developed on the road together?

I don't know if they were developed on the road, but we often saw one another in the mornings sitting at different computers typing and I always thought to myself, "I wonder what novel is being written right now in the aftermath of one of our concerts?"

I answered this, but my answer disappeared. Confirming I'm a pro at this.

Not on the road -- but it is AMAZING to go back and look at different works that came out of these friendships, ventures into new genres. Pretty cool, actually.

Ridley is being modest. The Peter and the Starcatcher series that Dave and he co-authored was born of their RBR friendship, not to mention the Tony-award winning play based on the first of their four-book trilogy.

Read Peter & the Starcatcher and saw the play during opening week. Both awesome works. Liked the way you & Dave corresponded during 'writing' the books.

The 10 or so years of my writing life with Dave are among the great treasures I will take to the grave. They are over now, looks like, but I treasure EVERY minute we had together. PATSC is a series I'm actually legitimately proud of!

In an alternate universe, what would your jobs be?

point guard for the Detroit Pistons

To quote Maynard G. Krebbs: "Work?"

This has been a BLAST! Thanks to everyone for organizing it, and thanks much to all of you who joined in! -- Ridley

Thank you, Ridley, Remainders, and everyone!

So Hard Listening is an ebook -- ONLY. Do you guys have plans for any other JUST ebooks? Do you own e-readers? How do you like them?

When it comes to Colilquy (our publisher) I'm just getting started! I hope to do MANY projects with them. (Kingdom Keepers Insider app is a Coliloquy product!) I offered to be part of a "mystery" ebook, but they got a better offer! (a #1 bestseller!) JK. I"M LOVING THE FORMAT and the possibilities. More to come.

Mine is growing on me. I have to admit. But mostly for the convenience when travelling. It's still nowhere near the love affair that I have with the printed page.

Are the Tigers capable of not only reaching, but winning the world series this year? Also, good luck with your band!

Oh yes. Tigers are loaded. If they could just find someone to pitch the ninth inning...

Mitch...Do you think the Miami Heat can comeback and beat the Spurs? what are the reprecussions for lebron james if he loses this NBA finals, legacy wise?

Yes, I think they can win two in a row. Wouldn't be surprised if they do it. They have more talent than San Antonio, but it hasn't all been functioning at the same time. As for James, I think he's proven himself enough in this postseason. Remember, Magic didn't always win. Bird didn't always win. Only Michael always won. But that was an aberration. I still think James is the best player in the entire league.

Hi Mitch. Tuesday with Morrie is my favorite book and I reccomend it to anyone that reads. My question is: Is there anyone in your life that looks up to you in a similar fashion as to how you looked up to your professor growing up?

Well, I don't have as much to offer anyone as Morrie did. But I operate an orphanage in Haiti and we take in children at three years of age. The way they take your hand or crawl into your lap within a day of knowing you reminds me a little of what Morrie must've felt over and over again in his life.

Any notable/interesting gigs the band turned down?

It's hard to turn gigs down when you're begging.

This is why Mitch gets "the big dough"

Biggest regret: the Clinton White House.

What's the best laugh you've all shared together, and what brought it about?

you have unleashed a demon

There are a million of them. One that comes to mind is when I yanked off my tear-away pants during the Elvis routine, threw them in the air, and saw them land on the head of our drummer--Josh--who continued playing the entire song without ever removing them. But that's just one.

in this world so heavily invested in Social Media, do you find you have to change how you reach your readers? Have you come up with creative "story" ways to reach them?

I'm still looking for my readers. If you happen to run into any, tell them I have a new thriller out!

Definitely. But, for my part, I'm still figuring out how. It's hard to tell the difference between someone who is curious about you for one sentence and someone who actually wants to read a book you've written.

I assume you don't all live in the same city, so how do practices work?

Also, how do famous authors get in touch with other famous others, or how did you all meet?

I can only tell you my story. I was covering the Olympics in Norway. One night, at 2 a.m. in the press center, I discovered a piano. And to fight boredom and the cold, I began to play. Dave Barry was there. He came over and sat down, we started singing oldies together. Next thing we knew, we had two dozen Norwegian security guards standing around us, also bored and fed up with the cold. We taught them that great American classic, Na-Na-Na-Na-Na-Na-Na-Na. After that, he said, "Hey, you should be in the Rock Bottom Remainders." And I said, "Do they sing as well as those Norwegians?" And the rest is history.

These, and other equally penetrating questions are answered in HL. But the long and the short of it: practice was scarce (and it showed, or was heard); a clever and wonderful woman came up with the idea that a rock band of authors would be a fun way to raise money at a benefit. It was supposed to be a one night stand.

Were there any songs you wished you played but didn't?

Any Beatle songs. Only Greg is good enough to pull one off (Paperback Writer)

Anything by the Beach Boys (too hard). Anything by the Dave Clark Five (too hard). Anything by Steppenwolf, the Drifters, the Stones (all too hard). And also, "Clair de lune."

Absolutely! There are so many great songs. However, since we never rehearse, mostly we have to stick with what we know. Kathi often said it was a good idea to be careful about what song you chose to sing with the Remainders--you'd be singing it for years.

When you're on user-generated content websites such as reddit, how do you feel seeing posts by people that may contain improper spelling or grammar on pretty much every page? As a writer, does it bother you at all seeing people type like this?

It doesn't bother me as much as you might think. Personally I look at these sites as one step away from casual conversation, where people say ain't, misuse words, and create run-on sentences all the time.

Why does the Reddit page need to be refreshed manually? Or am I missing something?

I have had to CONSTANTLY refresh manually, Roger. Because you and I are techies

How close have you all been to kicking out a member of the band? And why?

We periodically fire everyone, including ourselves, for incompetence.

thanks gang

Thank you!

Quitting Time!!! Bye Y'all.

See you soon, Roger.

Thank you Mitch, Ridley, Roger, Scott, James, Roy, Greg, everyone at Coliloquy, and all you good folks on Reddit!

Thank you Roger, Scott, Ridley, James, Roy, the folks at Coliloquy, and the Reddit community!

After being such big authors, what inspired you all to start a band together?

No more worllds left to conquer in literature. Excuse me, that's "worlds".

It's simple. There is nothing more fun than hanging around with friends and banging on instruments. Anyone who has ever done it knows that this is true.

Thanks guys for this AMA and all the good work that you're doing. Plus for the encouragement for those of us who also have day jobs but play in bands. My question is for the amazing Roger McGuinn. How did you end up in this bunch anyway?

I could tell you but it's all in the eBook and it would be a spoiler!

Basically, it's a been a dark spot on Roger's stellar career -- but we have enough material with which to extort him, he's not allowed to stop.

Most people play a six-string guitar. Roger plays a twelve string. So he's wasted twice as much string on our band than he should have.

Who determined the set list. Was it based on songs easiest to sing & play for the band members.

We had to look up "set list" in the dictionary. (Dave might have used a web site.) When we figured out what one was, Dave was in charge, primarily because Dave ALWAYS has a laptop with 3.2' of him and an active internet connection.

3.2' of him?

the set list was determined by 1) opening with a song that wouldnt scare everyone out of the building 2) putting the Elvis impersonation far enough in that I had time to leave the stage, find a bathroom, change my clothes and put on a wig and find my way back to the stage and 3) end with a song that WOULD chase people out of the building so we could go home and sleep.

We barely know enough songs as a group to get through an evening. When people asked for encores we often didn't know what to do.

Favourite love ballad? :)

"May The Road Rise To Meet You" Dedicated to Kathi.

gives me goosebumps

Especially as sung by Roger--so beautiful.

Really really beautiful

Did Dave Barry say ROCK BOTTOM REMAINDERS would be a good name for a rock band?

You can imagine the process of getting this group to agree on a band name... Do you have a few hours? We can talk about it.

I think that was Dave, but most of our titles have been group efforts.

Come to think of it, who says it is a good name for a rock band?

I think the name "The Beatles" is kind of stupid.

Yeah but it's too late for them to fix it now.

Why does Wikipedia say that the band performed for the last time in 2012 and that the band ended in 2012? Are you guys still active? Thanks for doing the AMA, also!

Active, as in probiotics? We lost our founder and (spiritual) leader last year, Kathi Goldmark. It wasn't the same on stage without her. Groups of us will continue to play together. Next up is the Miami Book Fair Nov 13.

As someone who writes about science professionally, I find it difficult to keep focus when I come across something I don't know how to articulate. I'll just walk away or do something else on my computer (like right now!) and revisit it later. This, I think, makes me a very inefficient writer and I end up spending much more time than my peers "working".

My question is, how do you maintain focus when you come across something that you can't immediately convey, or, how do you avoid getting into these situations in the first place?

Thanks :)

chew (I recommend Stim-U-Dents) and fidget.

You know the old joke about how to get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice. Writing is like any other human endeavor--except golf--in the sense that you get better the more often you do it