Danl Blackwood: I receive lots of email from people that are praying for you, and typically have lots of questions, too. The question that most people ask is how are you doing with your healing, and specifically how is your voice doing? Have you had any improvement in your voice at all?

Mitch McVicker: Yeah

Danl: How's that going?

Mitch: My voice is improving at such a slow pace that I don't really notice it, but people tell me they notice it's getting better.

Danl: That's kinda what you're dad was telling me the last time we visited that he noticed improvements, but that it was slow going. That's gotta be really frustrating! Are you still seeing the voice doctor?

Mitch: Yeah, I see the vocal guy [in Topeka] once a week, and we do vocal exercises.

Danl: Does it seem to help at all?

Mitch: It probably does.

Danl: But, like you said, it just doesn't seem like it's happening fast enough?

Mitch: Yeah. Nothing really significant like I was hoping for, but I guess it's going to take a long time.

Danl: I know originally that the doctors had said there was no physical damage to the vocal cords...

Mitch: But everybody I talk to, either doctor or vocal instructor, they say - either by the looks of my vocal cords or the sound of my voice - they say it should be OK. It's encouraging, but they aren't necessarily the final authority. It's not like they're going to hand me my voice back. So I guess I just have to wait.

Danl: So when you're practicing, do you sing a lot? Does that seem like it helps?

Mitch: Yes, I do a lot of singing. In fact, I've been working on writing some songs. I suppose that helps, but it's the same old thing. There isn't any significant improvement. Maybe if I wasn't doing that, I might notice it more. So it couldn't hurt.

Danl: OK, well here's one of the other questions that's been foremost in mind. I gotta tell ya, I pretty much always have a list of CD's I want to buy, and the one that's been on that list for quite a while now is the Mitch McVicker solo CD. So where's that at?

Mitch: Well, I've got the publishing set up for the songs, so they'll be copyrighted when it's released.

Danl: So do you think that you'll need to be back touring and performing before a record company will pick it up, or do think someone will buy it before that?

Mitch: I think that I would need to be able to perform. However certain indications make me feel that they might go ahead a buy it.

Danl: Speaking of performing, I found out that you already have one scheduled date at Cornerstone this summer as part of the tribute to Rich. More than one person have written wondering, "is there anyone we need to call about bookings for Mitch McVicker or future concert dates?"

Mitch: Yes, my manager's name is Keith Bordeaux.
(Editor's Note: Since this interview, Mitch has taken over booking his own appearances. Call 785-232-4189 for bookings.)

Danl: That's good to know. I received another email from a person who writes:

"I'm looking for info regarding Mitch McVicker, and his recovery. How's he coming along? It seems that the media has forgotten him, but fans haven't. Any info you have on how to get periodic updates, correspondence, etc. would be appreciated."

I'm assuming that if people want to write you, they can still do that the same address there in Topeka.

Mitch McVicker
2728 SE Bennett St
Topeka, KS 66605

Mitch: Yeah.

Danl: And the part where they say "it seems the media has forgotten you" - I just found out that's not so, since "There You Are" was just released as a single.

Mitch: Alright!

Danl: Yeah, I confirmed with Bob [Thornton, Light 99] that it will start airing tomorrow [Fri, Mar 13, 98].

Mitch: Wow!

Danl: I've posted that info to the RichMailList to generate some phone calls to radio stations requesting it, and hopefully we can do the same thing when you're solo CD comes out.

Danl: I know this is a difficult and personal question, and if you'd rather not answer, just let me know. I was wondering how you dealt with the knowledge that you were in a wreck that took Rich's life.

Mitch: No, that's OK. It's not really a spectacular story. I'm still in that state where my memory is kinda in and out. I didn't find out about Rich until much later. The doctors thought it would be better if I didn't know right away. So, they said, "Oh, Rich was killed." I didn't bawl or nothing, I just kinda shook my head for awhile, and said, "Oh no."

Danl: So you were really still kinda banged up, and just trying to deal with you're own situation?

Mitch: Yeah, that's the main thing - I really was focused on just trying to get better. It probably didn't have the effect on me that it had on a lot of people. I feel like I'm way behind on any kind of grieving process.

Danl: So how are you dealing with it? I know it just must be maddening sometimes wishing you could just be back to normal again - you know, have your voice back, doing your music. Are you dealing with that OK?

Mitch: When I think about it, I have a lot of frustration. If someone would say, "Oh yeah, in three months, you'll be OK," it'd be different. I guess it's the fear of the possibility that I may never do it again. But I'm trying to just believe that that day will come. I just keep trying to write songs, and all the things that go with that. I wish that Michael [Aukofer] and Eric [Hauck], the guys that are going to play with me - I wish that they didn't have to wait on me.

Danl: Speaking of Michael and Eric, I noticed you're listed on the Cornerstone listing for a tribute for Rich on July 3rd, this summer. I assume that's with Michael Aukofer and Eric Hauck, anybody else?

Mitch: No, just us three.

Danl: What's Eric been doing now?

Mitch: Eric's been traveling around, visiting with people - kind of on a spiritual quest, and practicing. He also has been doing some touring with Rebecca St James.

Danl: I know Michael went down to Nashville last fall, and has been doing some producing. Is he still doing that?

Mitch: Yes, and he also does some playing like at churches and stuff.

Danl: I'm assuming we still want to do a mailing list and web page.

Mitch: Yes, I still want to do that. I still have the snailmaillist with about 2500 names and I've only had one mailing (laugh)

Danl: When you are able to start touring again, will you're girlfriend Shelli sing with you?

Mitch: No, she actually starts grad school next fall at Vanderbilt in Nashville.

Danl: When you move, can I assume that Nashville is a strong contender? (laugh)

Mitch: Yes. Actually I'm considering three places. I thought about Nashville, Wichita, and Phoenix.

Danl: What's she doing her grad work in?

Mitch: She'll be going to their school of Divinity, but I'm not sure what her Masters program will be. She already has her Masters in Psychology and was going for a Doctorate, but [Vanderbilt] recommended she get something more theological.

Danl: Is it appropriate to ask if you guys are serious?

Mitch: We're pretty darn serious, but no definite plans.

Danl: Anything else you want to let people know?

Mitch: Just to say thanks to all those who have been praying for me all this time, and to continue to pray for my voice and my eyesight that's still fuzzy.