Interviews

A Conversation With Matthew McConaughey

Perhaps best known for his charismatic screen presence and versatile performances, actor Matthew McConaughey rose to fame in the 1990s with roles in Dazed and Confused and romantic comedies like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, McConaughey later reinvented his career with powerful dramatic roles. His Oscar-winning performance in Dallas Buyers Club and acclaimed work in True Detective showcase his depth and talent. Most famous for his laid-back Texan charm, McConaughey is also an author, philanthropist, and advocate for personal growth and education.

A Conversation with Kathy Bates

With a career spanning decades, Kathy Bates has delivered unforgettable roles in films like Misery, where she earned an Academy Award, and Fried Green Tomatoes where she made us laugh and cry. Her talent shines equally in dramas, comedies, and television, including standout work in American Horror Story. Bates’ ability to bring depth and humanity to every character has made her one of the most respected and sought after actors of her generation. But her life has not been without trial. There is more to Kathy Bates than may first meet the eye.

A Conversation with Huey Lewis

Huey Lewis, the charismatic frontman of Huey Lewis and the News, became a defining voice of the 1980s with his band’s infectious blend of rock and pop. With chart-topping hits like The Power of Love and Hip to Be Square, Lewis helped shape the sound of a generation. Despite recent challenges with hearing loss, he remains a beloved figure in music, celebrated for his enduring talent and magnetic stage presence.

A Conversation with Ethan Hawke

Admired for his thoughtful performances and artistic range, Ethan Hawke shot on to the world stage with roles in Dead Poets Society and Reality Bites. Hawke has built a solid career blending independent films and mainstream hits. His collaborations with director Richard Linklater, including the Before trilogy and Boyhood, showcase his ability to bring authenticity and emotional depth to the screen. Beyond acting, Hawke is a novelist, playwright, and filmmaker, celebrated for his dedication to storytelling and exploration of complex, human experiences.

A Conversation With Michael J. Fox

Famously upbeat and funny, iconic actor Michael J. Fox spends some time with ROUTE and takes us through his journey from Canada to Hollywood, his leap from Family Ties to the Big Screen, and his true passion: his role as a husband and father. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at a young age, Michael has refused to let it define his life, and has authored his fourth memoir, No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality. Undeniably, Michael’s journey is both inspiring and an encouragement to us all.

A Conversation with Jackson Browne

Jackson Browne is a legendary American singer-songwriter and musician, celebrated for his introspective lyrics and melodic folk-rock sound. Rising to fame in the 1970s, Browne's hits like "Running on Empty,” “Doctor My Eyes” and “The Pretender” showcase his poetic storytelling and poignant reflections on life, love, and social issues. A member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, his music has left an indelible mark on generations.

A Conversation with Melissa Etheridge

Melissa Etheridge, the trailblazing rock icon with a soul-stirring voice and a knack for storytelling, has captivated audiences for decades. Known for hits like Come to My Window and I’m the Only One, she’s a Grammy and Oscar winner who has consistently broken barriers, both musically and personally. As she embarks on new creative ventures, Etheridge remains an inspiring force, proving that her passion and authenticity only grow stronger with time.

A Conversation with Pierce Brosnan

ROUTE chats with Pierce Brosnan, Irish-born actor best known for playing James Bond, on his childhood, his journey to Hollywood, road trips, family and loads more.

A Conversation With Matthew Broderick

When we think about 1980s films that represent the decade, many films come to mind, but without a doubt, right there in the top picks will be the hilarious Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. This fan fav helped make a young Matthew Broderick a household name. Now an icon in his own right, the actor still has a lot to share.

A Conversation With Linda Ronstadt

Music is filled with legends, and no female artist stands out any brighter from the heady 1960s and ‘70s than Linda Ronstadt. From 18-year-old newcomer to the LA music scene, armed with her father’s 1898 Martin guitar, to her last stage concert in 2009, as her voice prematurely gave way, Ronstadt sang with a long list of some of the brightest musicians of the era, influencing some of the biggest bands and singers on the planet. Listen in on this candid and intimate conversation where she shares her decision to pursue music in California, about her triumphs and tragedies, her new book “Feels Like Home: A Song for the Sonoran Borderlands”, the song she is most proud of, and how she would like to be remembered.

A Conversation with Andy Garcia

From his breakout role in the 1987 gangster classic The Untouchables, Andy Garcia’s distinguished presence has continued to light up the silver screen for decades, making him more than a household name. Accolades aside, Garcia is much more than the sum of his compelling performances. In this open conversation, get to know the man with an outstanding work ethic, deep convictions, and most of all, unwavering commitment to family.

A Conversation with Martin Sheen

Actor Martin Sheen popularly known for his role as President Bartlet on The West Wing, talks family road trips, Route 66, raising his family in the public eye and more.

A Conversation with Kevin Hart

When Kevin Hart isn’t busy touring the world, performing stand-up comedy or shooting his next blockbuster, he’s most likely on dad duty for his three children. He could also be managing his intense fear of reptiles or adding to his extensive automobile collection.

A Conversation with Gordon Lightfoot

Canada is a nation that has always given birth to a talented crop of music stars. The country’s entertainment industry is mature and growing, but true success has always been defined by an entertainer’s ability to make it south of the border, to have their music top the larger, more competitive, success-making charts found in America. In the 1960s and ‘70s, along with Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, no one was more successful in this regard than Ontario native, Gordon Lightfoot. The singer-songwriter’s sound was clearly embraced by a wide audience who appreciated his folky pop sound that could be relied on to tell a story.

A Conversation with Bryan Cranston

Critically acclaimed actor Bryan Cranston, best known for his role as Walter White on the AMC series Breaking Bad, shares on his life, career and road trips down Route 66.

A Conversation with Adam Duritz of Counting Crows

I first discovered Counting Crows when I was 19 and living in California. It was a warm January evening, and I was with a colleague at the time, traveling fast up the 405 in his Porsche. It was the first time I was ever in one. I was young, we were in a fast car in California, and “Mr. Jones” came on the radio. He turned it up and turned to me and hollered, “Have you heard these guys yet?” I hadn’t, but it sounded pretty good. “They’re called Counting Crows. They are going to be huge.”

A Conversation With Laura Linney

In 2010, The New York Times published an article dubbing actress Laura Linney as “every woman’s Meryl Streep.” And it may well be true. Linney has forged a well-deserved reputation as an intelligent, humble, and hardworking actress, nominated for and winning dozens of awards for her stellar theater, television, and film performances. But in person, the real Laura Linney is even more remarkable. Born in New York City on February 5, 1964, Linney came from a distinguished family with a background in politics and theater.

A Conversation With Eric Bana

Given the impressive body of dramatic work that Eric Bana has done in his career - Troy, Black Hawk Down, The Hulk, Munich, and The Time Traveler’s Wife - it's hard to believe that the Australian born actor got his start as a stand-up comedian. That is, until you hear him talk about everything from his love of hitting the open road in his classic cars to how he chooses his roles, and then you see how versatile he can be.

A Conversation with Robert Duvall

For more than six decades, Robert Duvall has been plying his trade, first, commanding the stage, then the big and small screen, bringing an intelligent and intense vulnerability to each performance. He is one of those rare breed of actors who has gifted us with some unforgettable characters, in some of the finest films in cinematic history.

A Conversation with Gary Sinise

Actor Gary Sinise is well-known for his films – Forrest Gump, Apollo 13 and The Green Mile, to name a few, and television shows such as CSI: NY and Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, but these days Sinise has been using his gifts, passions and notoriety to create a different type of project.

A Conversation With James Woods

James Woods boasts an impressive resume, to say the least. Since his breakout role as Gregory Powell in the crime thriller The Onion Field, the multi-talented actor has worked on over 145 films and television projects in a myriad of roles both on and off the screen. But this masterful jack of all trades is far more than the sum of his work, and many may not know that he also harbors a deep love for the Mother Road.

A Conversation with Richard Dreyfuss

For six decades, Richard Dreyfuss has been a staple on television and cinema screens worldwide, starring in popular shows, like Parenthood, and iconic films, such as The Goodbye Girl (1977), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor, and huge blockbusters like Jaws, What about Bob?, American Graffiti, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Mr. Holland’s Opus and Stand By Me.

A Conversation with Jeffrey Wright

One of the most recognizable faces on television and film, Jeffrey Wright is also one of the hardest working actors in the business today. A prolific actor, a producer, an entrepreneur, a father… Wright is as versatile as they come. Now at a young 57 years of age and with several new exciting projects about to be released, in this conversation, Wright shares about life and work and how he arrived at this fascinating chapter in his life.

A Conversation with Bruce Hornsby

The 1980s were a decade of musical genius. As the popularity of 1970s disco waned, new sounds were being created, sounds that included the insanely popular synthesizer. The birth of MTV in 1981 changed the way that audiences responded to music almost overnight, and by the late 1980s, glam rock had become the most popular genre of music worldwide, and the birth of rap and hip hop shook not only urban areas, but the suburbs as well.

A Conversation with Robert Patrick

Whether he’s playing an android assassin on Terminator 2, a high-ranking Army Colonel on The Unit, or the handler of a team of paranormal investigators on The X-Files, Robert Patrick steals the scene with his signature gravitas and intense presence.

A Conversation with Scott Eastwood

Following in the footsteps of a famous father, especially one with as legendary of a Hollywood career as Clint Eastwood, can be daunting. And for Scott Eastwood, who is a spitting image of his father; with the same striking good looks and gunslinger eyes, that journey can be wrought with constant comparisons. However, make no mistake, Scott Eastwood is forging his own path in Hollywood.

A Conversation with Thora Birch

Growing up I was a film fanatic. I couldn't wait for the weekend when my dad would take us to the movie store, and we would hungrily grab the new movies that we'd been timing - if they were in, that is. Most new releases would disappear pretty quickly. In those early days, home entertainment was a new thing and we all rushed to take hold of those magical clunky VHS tapes. As a young person, I of course preferred younger talent.

A Conversation With Joshua Radin

If you don’t know him by name you certainly know Joshua Radin’s music from your favorite television programs, where his emotionally charged songs fit as effortlessly into the potent scenes of medical drama Grey’s Anatomy as they do in medical comedy Scrubs – and quite a few shows in between.

A Conversation with Grace Potter

There are a lot of very talented singer-songwriters in the world but how many of them have a deep connection to Route 66 and are passionate about the Great American road trip? Grace Potter first introduced her music to the world in 2002 with Red Shoes Rebel, and now has five studio albums to her credit, with her latest, Mother Road, being released in August 2023. In this conversation with ROUTE Magazine, Potter waxes poetic about her musical journey, her time along America’s most famous highway and the inspiration for her new album.

A Conversation with Mat Kearney

Singer/Songwriter Mat Kearney talks about growing up in Eugene, Oregon, his journey into music, the stories behind his songs and life as a father to three girls. Listen in on this fascinating conversation through the lyrical landscapes of Mat Kearney's world, where every chord strummed, and every word sung invites us to embrace the beauty of the human experience.

A Conversation with Danica McKellar

Celebrated, deservingly so, as America's sweetheart, Danica McKellar burst into our lives on January 31, 1988, as Winnie Cooper, in the premiere of the iconic ABC series, The Wonder Years. In her role, we watched each week as she, along with her love interest Kevin Arnold and friend Paul Pfeiffer, navigated life’s complex and often confusing path of childhood and adolescence. The show struck a chord with millions of viewers and McKellar would go on to reprise the role for a full six seasons. After that, to the surprise of many, she took an unexpected turn and headed off to college to study mathematics at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

A Conversation with Wes Studi

Undeniably one of the finest craftsmen on the Silver Screen today, Wes Studi stands out amongst his peers in an industry that is quick to forget. But when he speaks, the thespian is guaranteed to leave a mark.