Walt goes Inside the Actor's Studio

Tonight we have a special treat. Tonight the Actor's Studio turns its spotlight away from film and Broadway to look at a very unique individual. Father, husband, writer, rancher, musician, lay pastor and amateur demolition expert, Walt Lucas.



Thanks James, this is unexpected indeed. I'm still not sure why you are here to be honest.




We do not limit our search for talent to Hollywood and New York. Inspiration is where you find it, Mr. Lucas. As Allen Ginsberg said "inspiration is just a feeling of heightened breath or slightly exalted breath, when the body feels like a hollow reed in the wind of breath."



.....Okay, whatever you say James. Please, call me Walt.



Let me start out with the usual questions. At what age did you feel the call to perform?



Um, I don't really know, I guess I have always felt like I could perform in front of people.




Do you feel at home in the spotlight?



No, I am actually quite nervous just before I speak or play music in front of a crowd.




And you never caught the acting bug?




No. I did play Bob Cratchit in a Christmas play in elementary school, but that was it.




Most of us know you through your writing, your blog and the guest opinion pieces you write for the local newspaper. How did that start, the writing?



I don't know really. I love to read and the more I read, I began to appreciate good writing and good writers. When I would read an article in the paper, I would get upset at the dumb things people would write. I thought to myself, heck, I could write a better piece than that, so I started my blog. It was fast, easy and free so I began to write at The Roughstock Journal under the name of Yolo Cowboy.




How did you come up with your nom de plume?



My what?




Your pen name, Yolo Cowboy.




Pretty easy James, I live in Yolo County and I am, or at least have been, a cowboy for a living.




Splendid.




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Where do you see you writing taking you? Is there a novel in your future, a screenplay perhaps?




Uh, I don't think so. I usually just write about what is happening in the world around me, what is going on in my life and try to pass along some of the lessons I have learned the hard way. I figure even if I don't learn from my mistakes, maybe someone else can.



How magnanimous.





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We will close tonight by asking the questionnaire made famous by the Frenchman, Bernard Pivot.




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What is your favorite word?



Colloquialism. It just sounds cool.




What is your least favorite word?




Multiculturalism.



What turns you on?



Passion.



What turns you off?




People who won't bother learning the facts when they argue with you.




What sound or noise do you love?




I love the rhythm of a horse's hooves and the creaking of the saddle when you ride. I also love to my kids sing when they don't know I am listening.


What sound or noise do you hate?


Nancy Pelosi's voice.



What is your favorite curse word.


I hope my mom doesn't read this James. I try not curse, but if I do smash my thumb or drop my keys into lake Berryessa, again, I would probably say - Horse$#it.



What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?


I have always loved music, I would like to produce music in a studio.




What profession would you not like to do?




Press secretary, for any politician. Lying for a living would kill me in a month.




If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?



Well James, I do believe Heaven exists and when I arrive I would like God to say, well done my good and faithful servant, but He probably won't. He will say, it's a good thing you are a friend of my Son, because without Him vouching for you, it wouldn't be pretty.



Thanks for sharing with our students.