John Shearer's column, 636 words
My Interview with Perry Como
By John Shearer
IPS
Features
Reading about the death of singer Perry Como several days ago brought to
my mind memories of interviewing him in 1986 when he was in Chattanooga.
I had started my career as a newspaper reporter two years earlier, so by
that time, I had gained some experience covering all kinds of stories. But I had
never really interviewed anyone famous.
Because of that and the fact that I am naturally shy, I was a little
apprehensive when I found out I was supposed to interview him. Actually, I was
scared to death.
He was in town that year to sing at the
Pat Boone Bethel Celebrity Spectacular concert to raise money for Bethel Bible
Village, a Christian-based facility that houses children of incarcerated
parents.
As often seems to happen in the newspaper business, we found out about
his visit at the last minute. Someone from Bethel called after our noon deadline
at the Chattanooga News-Free Press had passed and most of the other reporters
had gone home.
In fact, I am sure city editor Julius Parker would have selected one of
the so-called ace reporters to cover such a big story. But I was all he saw when
he surveyed the newsroom.
So he came back and told me that Perry Como was flying into Chattanooga’s
airport at a certain time and that I should be there then to greet him and get
some comments from him.
Suddenly, I became nervous and realized that I better not fail, or my
career as a newspaper reporter might be over before it has hardly started. “What
if he did not have anything to say?” I asked myself. Or worse yet, what if I
have nothing to say because I get too nervous and am unable to speak?
When I arrived at his airport gate, I noticed a TV reporter waiting on
him, as well as Chattanooga Mayor Gene Roberts, Miss Chattanooga Teresa Kyker
and several Bethel officials and children. So I relaxed a little and felt that I
would not be working alone.
A few minutes later, he walked off the plane casually dressed and was
greeted by applause from the small contingent gathered. He then quipped, “Had I
known I was going to get this, I would have put on my tuxedo.”
His relaxed manner was the opposite of my feelings when I had
arrived.
He seemed nice and easy going and I was quickly put at ease. After the
more-outgoing TV reporter asked him questions with plenty of self-confidence and
then went on her way with her cameraman, I stayed with him as he walked to the
baggage claim area.
As we progressed, I suddenly noticed that about the only other person
with us was Mayor Roberts. Needless to say, I was keeping better company than I
normally did. In fact, I kept waiting for Frank Sinatra to show up and fill out
a foursome.
By this time, I was no longer feeling shy and felt as if I were ready to
take over for Larry King. I confidently asked him about his concert plans, TV
specials, etc.
With each question I asked him, he
politely answered me in a soft voice. I left the airport thinking Perry Como was
a pretty nice and down-to-earth guy.
I know he sure helped make my job easier that day.
The next day, I felt a big sense of pride when I saw my story at the top
of the front page.
In the years since, I have had occasional opportunities to interview
notable people. Each time, I am usually a little nervous beforehand. But after
the interview is over, I am always quite proud of myself and am ready to brag
about my exploits.
Of course, I never mention how scared I usually was beforehand.
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