My first exposure to my newest interview subject, Brie Howard, came when I heard her background vocals and instrumental work on Robbie Nevil’s song C’est La Vie, which I first came across on an 80s compilation CD I purchased in the late 90s. As I grew older, I would come to discover more about Brie’s work not only as a drummer and a singer, but also as an actress and a baker. I met Brie at the Chiller Theatre convention last October, as shown in the cover photo, and was honored to meet her.
As my 80s fandom blossomed in the 00s, I was first exposed to my next interview subject when I saw the movie Tough Guys on VHS. The final film collaboration of Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster, there were many small, but memorable, roles in the movie. Hilary Shepard played Sandy, the manager of a restaurant that Kirk Douglas’ character, Archie Long, briefly worked at before snapping at the customers. I was fascinated by her, and that fascination would grow along with my 80s fandom. Whether it was movies like Hunk and Summer Lovers, or her musical work with the band The American Girls, I came to love Ms. Shepard’s work. The acting and music were just the beginning, though. Hilary has also been a model, an author and a board game creator, among other things. I interviewed her about all of that and more on March 22nd, and I hope you all enjoy getting to know this formidable talent.