Here is the bonus-track version of that interview.
Now youre shining the spotlight on the people who shine the spotlights on the band.
What intrigued you about that side of the business?
Credit: Katie Yu/Showtime
CAMERON CROWE:I hadnt seen their stories told.
You know it, you see it in peoples eyes when theyre part of that tribe.
Let Elton John go.
We want to know his world.
Thats kind of the show.
Obviously there will be comparisons toAlmost Famous.
Yeah, and not even an underdog.
Theres a feeling aboutAlmost Famousthat I never knew if it was going to find an audience.
I like the comparisons toAlmost Famousbecause its about a passion that I have, very strongly.
The movie cast a spell.
And that was what I came to this show with.
How long have you had the idea forRoadies?
It happened about eight years ago.
And then one time we just started pitching.
I said, Wow, okay.
We never see the band, we never hear the band.
Its about the people.
Its about that girl and those people that disappear when the lights go down.
I wrote the whole pilot and just took all the pieces, put it all together.
Im having too much fun.
I cant press send now I pressed SEND.
I swear to god, 20 minutes later, J.J. writes me back.
I had no idea where he was in the world.
Lets do it now.
So, we immediately were like, Who would we want to do the show with?
I still go to shows a lot, and a lot of my friends are on crews.
Music happens in an organic way.
How would you sum up the life of a roadie in one sentence?
First in, last out.
What kinds of stories can audiences expect week in and week out?
Each city [of the tour] is an episode.
Ive been trying to work with Luke Wilson for 20 years, so finally it worked out.
Its like, Im dedicating my life to you, guy who looks like me.
Id given him this football, and we had already started working on the part.
I have Luke Wilson throwing a football, and I get to direct him.
And I went up to him, and I said, Do you realize what just happened?
Hes like,I just threw the football, man.
Im like, No, we completed the circle here.
I was really happy.
Their songs come from personal experiences, which create a different kind of fan, like Pearl Jam.
And youre going to have original music in this?
Original music and also just like an eclectic, beautiful radio station, all genres.
You said you dont hear the Staton-House Band.
How much do we see them?
Do they interact with the roadies at all?
Its stuff that the crew would be affected by.
Even those moments where they are dismissive of them?
Because it could be interesting to watch that power dynamic.
Theyre so loyal to the band that they dont have to hang with the band.
Its like they pride themselves in not needing that.
Though they want to get that for you.
When I was a journalist, the roadies always helped me get my interviews.
It was so great.
You just go in there, Ill set you up, and then Ill leave.
They like to watch you watch the show because they see you getting off.
I always loved those people because theyre all fans.
What exactly happened there?
I think it was just the show finding itself.
And we all love Christina and are totally still in communication with her, obviously.
I cant wait to work with her.
I wrote her last night.
Its like…we love her.
What has your experience has been like in TV so far?
How is it been different than you expected?
because theres such an investment.
So, I just like the process.
Theres a freedom that I really love.
Coming out ofAloha, I think just telling personal stories is always the best for me.
I got a lot of stories I want to tell on this show.
What music are you listening to these days that may be informing the show?
And what do you make of, say, Justin Bieber or One Direction?
Do you ever listen to that?
I actually like the new Bieber.
I listened to this three-album set by Titus Andronicus, andthatwas amazing.The Most Lamentable Tragedy, that was great.
Final question: Through all your years of reporting on bands, whats the best roadie story youve heard?
Do you see yourself weaving a version of that yellow-jacket story into the show?
We have a yellow-jacketing situation.
